![LINCOLN, Mary Todd, First Lady. Autograph letter signed ("Mary Lincoln") to Mrs. Judge White, Executive Mansion, 24 November [1864]. 3 pages, 12mo, black-bordered stationery headed "L," with envelope addessed in her hand, and initialed: "M.L."](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1998/NYP/1998_NYP_09012_0111_000(112942).jpg?w=1)
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LINCOLN, Mary Todd, First Lady. Autograph letter signed ("Mary Lincoln") to Mrs. Judge White, Executive Mansion, 24 November [1864]. 3 pages, 12mo, black-bordered stationery headed "L," with envelope addessed in her hand, and initialed: "M.L."
MARY LINCOLN'S CONFUSION OVER "MR L'S" PLANS FOR GENERAL BANKS
An interesting letter, flustered in tone, regarding a mistaken belief that Banks was being considered for a cabinet post: "...After all our just excitement, about the Banks matter, I am informed by Mr L that there has not been the least intention of placing that would be conspicious gentleman, in the Cabinet. The P. says, Seward & Weed have never mentioned the subject to him - he has no reason to believe Banks desires it, etc. This all appears, as a strange dream, & if the information did not come from so eminently truthful a source, it could not be credited. Banks, is to return immediately to New Orleans, I scarcely know myself what to make of all this. When the President, informed me of this, two days since, I replied, 'how grateful the hearts of thousands, would be, to be assured of it.' Mr L says Gen B. is ordered to the Department of the Gulf - indefinitely - there is not the least thought, of his having a place in the Cabinet. If we had only been made aware of this, some days since, much anxiety would have been saved."
Nathaniel P. Banks had an active political career prior to Lincoln's election: Member of Congress (1853-57), speaker (1854-57), governor of Massachusetts (1858-61). He was commander of the Department of the Gulf (1862-65). Mary Todd Lincoln, over-reacting to rumors, thought that Banks might be in line for a Cabinet post, and had also written to Charles Sumner and Oliver Halsted on the subject. On 24 November she wrote to both Sumner and Halstead, apologising for her previous letters and admitting the error. (Mary Todd Lincoln; Her Life and Letters, p.184, 192-93).
MARY LINCOLN'S CONFUSION OVER "MR L'S" PLANS FOR GENERAL BANKS
An interesting letter, flustered in tone, regarding a mistaken belief that Banks was being considered for a cabinet post: "...After all our just excitement, about the Banks matter, I am informed by Mr L that there has not been the least intention of placing that would be conspicious gentleman, in the Cabinet. The P. says, Seward & Weed have never mentioned the subject to him - he has no reason to believe Banks desires it, etc. This all appears, as a strange dream, & if the information did not come from so eminently truthful a source, it could not be credited. Banks, is to return immediately to New Orleans, I scarcely know myself what to make of all this. When the President, informed me of this, two days since, I replied, 'how grateful the hearts of thousands, would be, to be assured of it.' Mr L says Gen B. is ordered to the Department of the Gulf - indefinitely - there is not the least thought, of his having a place in the Cabinet. If we had only been made aware of this, some days since, much anxiety would have been saved."
Nathaniel P. Banks had an active political career prior to Lincoln's election: Member of Congress (1853-57), speaker (1854-57), governor of Massachusetts (1858-61). He was commander of the Department of the Gulf (1862-65). Mary Todd Lincoln, over-reacting to rumors, thought that Banks might be in line for a Cabinet post, and had also written to Charles Sumner and Oliver Halsted on the subject. On 24 November she wrote to both Sumner and Halstead, apologising for her previous letters and admitting the error. (Mary Todd Lincoln; Her Life and Letters, p.184, 192-93).