On February 12, 1862, comes this description of the delightful visit to Newport News and he says:
“All the officers received us in such a hospitable spirit and the weather assisted in making our stay agreeable. I passed two of the pleasantest days that I have enjoyed when away from home. General Mansfield suggested some practice with the parrot gun, and one of those sad accidents occurred, for a gun burst and two men were killed.
“We have been treated like princes here. The steamboat was put at our disposal and when, through a misunderstanding, it left before we were on board, another one was immediately sent with us. I enclose several things to keep for me.”
Amongst the enclosures was a note which is sufficiently interesting to give in facsimile.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON
Mr. Rosevalt.
Dear Sir:
I very much regretted that a severe headache confined me to my room on yesterday, this morning I find we are expected to hold a noon reception which will be over by three and a half o’clock at which time I will be very happy to have you ride with us.
Very truly yours
Mrs. A. Lincoln.
This quaint missive reminds me of the fact of my father’s kindly tolerance of “Mrs. A. Lincoln’s” little peculiarities. I remember how he used to tell us, when occasionally he was invited, as this letter says, to “ride” with her, that he would also be invited to stop at the shop where she bought her bonnets, and give his advice on which bonnet was especially becoming!
In an earlier letter, after referring to an interview with Secretary Stanton, he speaks of his apparent decision of character. But he was disappointed when he could not, in the beginning, make the secretary take his point of view about the Allotment Commission. Later, however, he received the full support of Secretary Stanton.
AN INVITATION FROM THE WIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Sr.
In a letter dated February 5 he speaks of “justified pleasure” as follows: