Lincoln writes to Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania inquiring as to prospects in that state. "The news we are receiving here now, by letters from all quarters is steadily on the rise; we have none lately of a discouraging character."Abraham Lincoln to Thaddeus Stevens, 3 September 1848, CW, 2:1.

National Intelligencer announces that Whigs will hold mass meeting at "their Platform" at 7 P.M. to celebrate anniversary of defense of Fort Harrison, "the first of the glorious achievements of the gallantZachary Taylor." J. E. Brady of Pennsylvania, A. Lincoln of Illinois, J. M. S. Causin, T. F. Bowie, T. G. Duckett and Z. C. Lee of Maryland, and L. F. Tasistro of New York are expected to speak.

About this date Lincoln and family leave Washington for speaking tour in New England. He travels to Baltimore over Baltimore and Ohio and from there to New York over four roads subsequently incorporated into Pennsylvania system. From New York he probably takes boat to Norwich, and proceeds to Worcester over Worcester Railroad.John W. Starr, Lincoln and the Railroads: A Biographical Study (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1927), 49-51.

Lincoln speaks at city hall.Speech at Worcester, Massachusetts, 12 September 1848, CW, 2:1-5.

"He has a very tall and thin figure, with an intellectual face, showing a searching mind, and a cool judgment," reports Boston Advertiser, September 14, 1848. "He spoke in a clear and cool, and very eloquent manner, for an hour and a half, carrying the audience with him in his able arguments and brilliant illustrations."

Lincoln and others speak briefly from stand near railroad station. Worcester Spy. He attends Whig state convention, and is guest at large dinner given by Levi Lincoln, former governor of Massachusetts.Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln, 1:474.

"The Whigs of Chelsea last night held one of those meetings which do good to the inner man. The Hon. Abraham Lincoln made a speech, which for aptness of illustration, solidity of argument, and genuine eloquence, is hard to beat."Boston Atlas, 20 September 1848.