Thursday, February 21, 1861.New York, NY and
En route to
Philadelphia, PA.
| Lincoln departs from New York via Cortlandt Street ferry at 8
A.M. escorted by cheering crowd and salvos of artillery. Philadelphia Inquirer, 22 February 1861; Baltimore Sun, 22
February 1861. At Jersey City, N.J., replies briefly to welcome
by William L. Dayton, attorney general of New Jersey. To quiet the crowd,
speaks a second time. Remarks at Jersey City, New Jersey,
21 February 1861, CW, 4:233-34;
Remarks at Newark, New Jersey, 21
February 1861, CW, 4:234-35. At Newark, N.J., Lincoln detrains at "lower depot" and rides one and a half
miles in open carriage through town to "upper depot." At each depot is
introduced and makes short speech. One estimate reports crowd at 75,000, lower
estimate is 25,000. Mount Holly New-Jersey Mirror and
Burlington County Advertiser, 28 February 1861;
Remarks at Newark, New Jersey, 21
February 1861, CW, 4:234-35. Replies from rear platform to introduction by J. J. Chetwood at Elizabeth,
N.J. Rahway, N.J., crowd of 3,000 sees Lincoln for moment. N.Y. World, 22 February 1861. Judge John Van Dyke
introduces him from train to 5,000 spectators at New Brunswick, N.J.; Lincoln
replies. Remarks at New Brunswick, New
Jersey, 21 February 1861, CW,
4:235; Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 February 1861. Thirty-four-gun
national salute at 12 M. signifies arrival of presidential party at Trenton,
N.J. Mayor Mills welcomes Lincoln, who replies and joins W. L. Dayton in open
carriage for trip to capitol. Baltimore Sun, 23 February
1861. En route to Washington, D. C., Lincoln stops in Trenton,
New Jersey, where he addresses the state senate. He remarks, "You give me this
reception . . . without distinction of party. . . . [T]his body is composed of
a majority of gentlemen who, in the exercise of their best judgment in the
choice of a Chief Magistrate, did not think I was the man. . . . [N]evertheless
. . . they came forward here to greet me as the constitutional President of the
United States . . . the representative man of the nation, united by a purpose
to perpetuate the Union and liberties of the people." New York Daily Tribune, 22 February 1861, 5:5;
Address to the New Jersey Senate at
Trenton, New Jersey, 21 February 1861, CW, 4:235-36. To General
Assembly he says: "I shall do all that may be in my power to promote a peaceful
settlement of our difficulties. The man does not live who is more devoted to
peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it. But it may be necessary
to put the foot down firmly." Address to the New Jersey General Assembly
at Trenton, New Jersey, 21 February 1861, CW, 4:236-37. Goes to Trenton
House for lunch; by popular demand makes few remarks from balcony.
Baltimore Sun, 23 February 1861;
Remarks at Trenton House, Trenton, New
Jersey, 21 February 1861, CW,
4:237-38. Leaves Trenton shortly after 2 P.M. Speaks briefly
from train at Bristol, Pa. Trenton Daily State Gazette and
Republican, 23 February 1861. Arrives Kensington depot
Philadelphia at 4 P.M. Receives 34-gun salute by Minute Men of '76 and rides in
carriage to Continental Hotel while 100,000 persons watch. Baltimore Sun, 22 February 1861, 23 February 1861.
Speaks from balcony of hotel in reply to welcome by Mayor Alexander Henry. "We
are confident that not one person in the crowd below heard one word of
Lincoln's speech." Baltimore Sun, 22 February 1861;
Reply to Mayor Alexander Henry at
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 February 1861,
CW, 4:238-39. Retires
from balcony to dine with Mrs.
Lincoln in adjoining room. Baltimore Sun, 23
February 1861. Stands in receiving line for public reception
beginning 8:30 P.M. Replies to delegates who invite him to Wilmington, Del.: "I
feel highly flattered . . . but circumstances forbid." Baltimore Sun, 23 February 1861;
Reply to a Delegation from Wilmington,
Delaware, 21 February 1861, CW,
4:239-40. Toward end of reception N. B. Judd asks Lincoln to
meet with him and Frederick W. Seward who has just arrived from Washington with
letter to Lincoln from his father, Sen. Seward (N.Y.). Letter, based upon
information obtained by Gen. Scott and Capt. Charles P. Stone (USA, resd.)
describes plot to assassinate Lincoln while passing through Baltimore.
Detectives employed by railroad also report similar plot. Lincoln thanks Seward
for bringing letter and comments that he will consider the advice to change
time and schedule. Refuses to change plans until commitments in Philadelphia
and Harrisburg, Pa., are completed. Frederick W. Seward,
Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, 1830-1915. By
Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State during the Administrations of
Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes (New York: Putnam, 1916), 134-38; William
H. Seward Jr., "Reminiscences of Lincoln," Magazine of History 9
(February 1909):107. City's celebration of Lincoln's visit
continues with band concert and fireworks. Philadelphia
Inquirer, 22 February 1861. Lincoln meets delegation
representing Pennsylvania state administration in chambers of Judge James
Milliken in Philadelphia and learns that opposition to Sen. Cameron's (Pa.)
appointment has been withdrawn. Milliken to Cameron, 22
February 1861, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington,
DC. [Irwin withdraws $72.24 from Springfield Marine Bank.
Pratt, Personal
Finances, 176.] Mrs. Lincoln objects to living in private home while
waiting to occupy White House. Plans are changed. Lamon to
Washburne, 21 February 1861, Elihu B. Washburne Papers, Library of Congress,
Washington DC. |