Assassination

[Anita]

What about the Grants? Did they have any contact with Mary after the assassination?

[RJNorton]

There was an opportunity, but it didn't happen. The Grants were traveling in France at the same time Mary was living there. Jean Baker writes, "Then Ulysses and Julia Grant came to Pau and snubbed Mary Lincoln." The author goes on to write that, "Later Julia Grant explained her failure to call on a White House predecessor as a mistake, though it was more likely her repayment for past slights."

Julia Grant wrote, "The night before we left [Pau] we learned that Mrs. Abraham Lincoln was there and I was very very sorry we had not learned this sooner, as it was now too late to make her a visit. We could not at this late hour change our plans."

[Anita]

(09-03-2013 04:51 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  There was an opportunity, but it didn't happen. The Grants were traveling in France at the same time Mary was living there. Jean Baker writes, "Then Ulysses and Julia Grant came to Pau and snubbed Mary Lincoln." The author goes on to write that, "Later Julia Grant explained her failure to call on a White House predecessor as a mistake, though it was more likely her repayment for past slights."

Julia Grant wrote, "The night before we left [Pau] we learned that Mrs. Abraham Lincoln was there and I was very very sorry we had not learned this sooner, as it was now too late to make her a visit. We could not at this late hour change our plans."

Thanks Roger. The slights must have gone pretty deep to have been in Pau and not at least sent a note. Julia also couldn't change her plans to attend the play. If the Grants had been there the night of the assassination, Gen. Grant may have had more guards with him. But what ifs don't change history.

[Linda Anderson]

Mary Lincoln had confronted Mrs. Grant at City Point a few weeks before the assassination so we can only imagine her reaction when Grant informed her they would be going to the theater with the Lincolns that evening. Grant seems to be referring to this confrontation when he said, "Some incident of a trifling nature had made her [Mrs. Grant] resolve to leave that day." Grant, Jean Edward Smith.

The story of the confrontation is recounted on page 13 of the thread "Mary's Reputation."

http://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussio...ght=badeau

"Mary Lincoln grew angrier still when Julia Grant once again attempted to calm her down. Haughtily, the First Lady asked: "I suppose you think you'll get to the White House yourself, don't you?" Mrs. Grant explained that she was quite content with her current situation, provoking a sharp retort: "Oh! you had better take it if you can get it. 'Tis very nice."

[Anita]

(09-03-2013 03:53 PM)Linda Anderson Wrote:  Mary Lincoln had confronted Mrs. Grant at City Point a few weeks before the assassination so we can only imagine her reaction when Grant informed her they would be going to the theater with the Lincolns that evening. Grant seems to be referring to this confrontation when he said, "Some incident of a trifling nature had made her [Mrs. Grant] resolve to leave that day." Grant, Jean Edward Smith.

The story of the confrontation is recounted on page 13 of the thread "Mary's Reputation."

http://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussio...ght=badeau

"Mary Lincoln grew angrier still when Julia Grant once again attempted to calm her down. Haughtily, the First Lady asked: "I suppose you think you'll get to the White House yourself, don't you?" Mrs. Grant explained that she was quite content with her current situation, provoking a sharp retort: "Oh! you had better take it if you can get it. 'Tis very nice."

I see. Who knows how Mary would have reacted if the Grants did try and visit. Better to let some things be.

[Eva Elisabeth]

[undefined=undefined]

(08-23-2013 04:00 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  I looked in Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters by Justin Turner and Linda [/undefined]Levitt Turner and there is no communication with Edwin. However, the authors write that, "From all over the world, Mary Lincoln received messages of condolence." One letter she cherished came from Queen Victoria. It read:

**************************************

April 29, 1865

Dear Madam,

Though a Stranger to you I cannot remain silent when so terrible a calamity has fallen upon you & your Country & must personally express my deep & heartfelt sympathy with you under the shocking circumstances of your present dreadful misfortune —

No one can better appreciate than I can, who am myself utterly broken-hearted by the loss of my own beloved Husband, who was the Light of my Life, — my Stay — my all, — what your sufferings must be; and I earnestly pray that you may be supported by Him to whom Alone the sorely stricken can look for comfort, in this hour of heavy affliction.

With the renewed Expression of true sympathy, I remain,

dear Madam,

Your Sincere friend

Victoria Rg

Since Mary sort of copied and idolized Queen Victora I think this picture is worth posting. (I've not yet seen a picture showing her on a horse in mourning clothes.)
   
The cutline says: "The recently widowed Queen Victoria wearing mourning clothes at Balmoral, Scotland, 1863. She is riding 'Fyvie' and is accompanied by her faithful servant John Brown. Her husband, Prince Albert, died in December of 1861 of typhoid fever or perhaps cancer of the stomach. For forty more years, the rest of Victoria's life, she wore black widow's weeds. Suspicion was aroused by Victoria's partiality to John Brown as a servant; most of the members of the Royal Household referred to him as 'the Queen's stallion' and defamatory pamphlets referred to her as 'Mrs. Brown.'"