Extra Credit Questions

[mbgross]

Gettysburg

[RJNorton]

Correct, Mike! This is an etching (done by Bernardt Wall) of the second-floor guest bedroom in David Wills' house where Lincoln stayed on November 18, 1863 (the night before he gave the Gettysburg Address).

[RJNorton]

No googling please.

In his late teens Abraham Lincoln was summoned to court and charged with a wrongdoing. But he was found innocent. What was he charged with doing, and why did the judge find him innocent?

[mbgross]

Did it have to do with taking passengers via a raft to a ship on the Ohio River? Maybe some type of business infringement? Not sure of the judgement, unless it was too insignificant for the courts to deal with.

[AussieMick]

I'm starting to recall thanks to Mr Ross (struggling to remember your first name ... at least you didnt pick a silly username like mine) ...

I think Lincoln wasnt licenced to act as a ferryman. But he didnt actually ferry anybody across the river. He only took them half way to the ship in the middle of the river ?
... or something like that

[RJNorton]

Very good Mike and Michael. The Dill brothers, who had exclusive ferry rights on that part of the Ohio River, took Lincoln to court. They argued that Lincoln and his small boat were in violation of their exclusive rights. Judge Samuel Pate ruled that Lincoln was not taking his passengers across the river; he was only taking them partway to the steamers traveling on the river, and therefore had not violated the law. Lincoln had never ferried any passengers totally across the river. This was in c. 1827.

And it seems that Judge Pate was impressed with Lincoln's mind in court, and the two became friendly after the case was over. Lincoln also may have had a crush on Pate's niece, Caroline Meeker.

[RJNorton]

No googling please.

How many months passed between when Lincoln was elected to the 30th Congress and when the 30th Congress convened?

[Rob Wick]

Completely wrong guess, so I deleted my original post. I'm guessing no more than two months, though.

Best
Rob

[AussieMick]

I have a feeling that the assassination resulted in ... hmmm .... a 5 month interval

[RJNorton]

Perhaps surprising, but both of you gentlemen are way too low with your guesses.

[Gene C]

6 months ?

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Gene, but still way too low.

[Rob Wick]

Lincoln was elected in 1846. Today, the new Congress takes office in January, before certification of the Presidential election. So since we are all low, how about 12 months?

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Close enough, Rob.

Things were different in those days. Lincoln was elected to the 30th Congress on August 3, 1846. The 30th Congress convened at noon on December 6, 1847. On that day Lincoln voted for Robert C. Winthrop (of Massachusetts) for Speaker, and Winthrop was elected on the third ballot.

[Rob Wick]

Good grief! Well over a year. Must have been due to the amount of time that travel took.

Best
Rob