Extra Credit Questions

[David Lockmiller]

(08-02-2023 04:55 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  On September 22, 1862, Lincoln wrote, "Dr. Zacharie has operated on my feet with great success, and considerable addition to my comfort."

Roger, I am curious to know where Lincoln wrote this.

When I read this, it reminded me of my post (#11) on the blind memorandum thread. Secretary Welles was quoted as follows in one of his diary posts:

"The President was making some statement as to a document of his, and said he supposed his style was peculiar and had its earmarks, so that it could not be mistaken."

Abraham Lincoln had a unique ability to be both concise and complete in his statements.

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(08-02-2023 04:55 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Here are a few links which discuss Zacharie.

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/isachar-zacharie

In early1863, a friend discussed with Abraham Lincoln the idea of restoring European Jewry to its ancient homeland in Palestine. Lincoln agreed that the vision of a Jewish state in the Holy Land merited consideration. “I myself have regard for the Jews,” he is reported to have said. “My chiropodist is a Jew, and he has so many times ‘put me on my feet’ that I would have no objection to giving his countrymen ‘a leg up.”‘

Lincoln was referring to Isachar Zacharie, his foot doctor and confidant. . . .

Zacharie was born in England. While he never attended college or medical school, Zacharie was trained in chiropody and called himself a doctor. Zacharie emigrated to America in the mid-1 840s and worked in several cities before settling in Washington, D.C., in 1862. Zacharie’s reputation for treating foot pain attracted Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of State William Henry Seward and, eventually, President Lincoln as clients.

Zacharie and Lincoln exchanged views while Zacharie worked on the president’s feet, and they became intimate friends. Lincoln sought Zacharie’s advice and opinions on matters of state, especially Jewish affairs. By the end of 1862, Lincoln trusted Zacharie enough to ask him to travel to New Orleans, which had been captured by Union troops. His mission was to mingle with the Southern population and gain a view of its sentiments toward General Nathaniel P. Banks, who had just assumed command of the Department of the Gulf, and Union policies in general.

Zacharie recruited a cadre of peddlers to send back vital information, such as Confederate troop movements. Zacharie did his own investigating as well, both to gauge Southern feeling and to watch out for contraband shipments. He did what he could to help New Orleans’ Jews withstand the shortages of food and medication during wartime. He also advised Lincoln to rescind General Ulysses S. Grant’s expulsion of Jews from the Department of the Tennessee.