Lincoln & Herndon

[RJNorton]

(07-06-2014 07:08 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I read the whole Enigma book and enjoyed it, but I guess I did not retain the information on the Herndon vs. Mary subject. Back to the drawing board. However, I thought I read somewhere that Herndon last met with Lincoln in Washington in 1862, but was not invited into the family portion of the White House because of his enmity with Mary?

Regarding the Washington visit, David Herbert Donald (in Lincoln's Herndon) writes, "Two embarrassing episodes marred Herndon's visit. Running short of money, he had to borrow twenty-five dollars from his partner-President. And, Mrs. Lincoln, who had always thoroughly disapproved of Herndon, snubbed him. Herndon's feelings were hurt and he was bitterly resentful. 'Mrs. Lincoln,' he confided to a friend, 'is a very curious - eccentric - wicked woman.' 'Poor Lincoln!' he sympathized. 'He is domestically a desolate man - has been for years to my own knowledge.' In years to come, Mrs. Lincoln would have cause to regret her rudeness.

Before leaving the capital Herndon had dinner at the White House. When he was ready to go, President Lincoln accompanied him to the rear portico of the executive mansion, where a carriage was waiting. Grasping his partner by the hand, the President bade him a hearty 'Good-bye.' It was the last time Herndon saw Lincoln alive."