Robert Todd Lincoln --The vitals

[kerry]

Carpenter is taken very seriously now, but Mary and others at the time accused him of exaggerating his knowledge.

At the time Keckley's book was released, though it was apparently suppressed, huge extracts were published in all leading newspapers, and the newspapers seemed to give it credibility, although many deplored the idea that servants could write tell-alls and thought it was trashy. Many suggested Mary was really responsible for it. It's pretty clear that the reason they gave it so much credibility is because they liked the appeal of its content, though - no one went and talked to Keckley until much later. It gave great soundbites about each member of the cabinet and other figures. Some reviews suggested a former slave could not have written it. One complained that it was too one-sided and Keckley had not given enough explanation for why her owner felt compelled to beat her. It's definitely clear that accounts written by women were generally overlooked, even though they give a much clearer picture than the accounts of most men at the time. It's also definitely clear that women were institutionalized unnecessarily and men weren't expected to have much patience. However, I don't think Lincoln took such things lightly. It seems like if anyone would have mentioned his consideration of an institution, it would be Rebecca Pomeroy, or maybe in Browning or French's diaries. They were in the thick of the situation. But apparently there is nothing there.


I've found that this is a good explanation of the situation for women at the time.
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/vi...ontext=etd