LINCOLN, MARY, First Lady. Five autograph letters signed ("Mary Lincoln") to U.S. TREASURER FRANCIS E. SPINNER; Chicago, Illinois, 30 December 1865--23 July 1866. Together 7 pages, 8vo & 4to (mainly 4to), on Mrs.Lincoln's personal black-bordered mourning stationery (one monogrammed "L"), second page of one letter removed from a backing, with two tears and corner torn away (not affecting text), each docketed on back by Spinner [With:] An original postmarked envelope addressed in Mrs. Lincoln's hand, marked "Private" -- BENTLEY, NORMAN S., Merchant, friend of Mary Lincoln. Autograph list of 10 creditors (mostly merchants) of Mary Lincoln, addressed to Spinner, New York, 13 February 1866. 1 page, 8vo, integral blank with Spinner's docket "Memoranda of Mrs. Lincoln's Debts to be arranged by me," in which Bentley notes: "The above are the only parties in whose favor I may Draw on you for Mrs. Lincoln's Deposit" -- WILLIAMSON, ALEXANDER, Treasury Department official, former tutor to Tad and Willie Lincoln, Treasury Department official. Autograph note signed ("AlexWilliamson"), n.p., 17 March 1866, 1 page, oblong, confirming receipt of $10 "on account of Mrs. M. Lincoln"; Autograph statement showing interest paid on Mary Lincoln's $22,000 from December to January 15 [1866], 1 page, oblong -- HERRING, W.J. Printed document accomplished and signed, FORWARDING THE REMAINING PORTION OF LINCOLN'S SALARY AS PRESIDENT FOR 1865, Washington, D.C., 5 January 1866, 1 page, oblong, on form printed in red ink of the Adams Express Co., acknowledging receipt from F.E. Spinner of a packet "said to contain" $22,000 (in cash), addressed to Mary Lincoln in Chicago. "THE WIDOW LINCOLN" BORROWS TEN DOLLARS WHILE SHE STRUGGLES TO CLAIM ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S SALARY AS PRESIDENTAt the time of President Lincoln's assassination, Mary Lincoln was approximately $10,000 in debt due to compulsive, extravagant spending during her difficult years in the White House. She was advised that she could expect no more from Congress than the payment of her husband's salary as President for the remainder of the year 1865: "two other presidential wives, Anna Harrison and Margaret Taylor, had received this settlement silently and gratefully" (Jean Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography, 1987, p.263). She was determined not to pay her debts from her share of her husband's estate (which amounted to only $1500 a year) and instead petitioned Congress to be granted the unpaid portion of Lincoln's four-year, $100,000 annual salary. Bills authorizing her to receive the four-year salary were introduced both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, but it was withdrawn in the House, and Congress ultimately decided to appropriate only $25,000 for the year 1865. Since Lincoln had served six weeks of his second term, Mary was thus awarded $22,025: one year's salary minus six weeks pay and federal taxes! She viewed this as an insult because of the special circumstances surrounding Lincoln's death, but had no choice but to accept what she considered "a pitiful offering at best and most ungraciously bestowed," (Baker, p.263). Mary desperately needed the funds to pay off her creditors, who were becoming restive and hinting at public lawsuits: "already she had discovered (though it was an oft-forgotten lesson) that her husband's reputation was not transferable and that as widow Lincoln, she was treated with none of the indulgence she had received as Mrs. President Lincoln" (Baker, p.258). In this partly unpublished correspondence, Mary Lincoln urges Treasurer Francis E. Spinner to quickly send her the funds Congress had grudgingly voted her, gives instructions for converting a portion into certificates and arranges to borrow $10.00 from Williamson, a former tutor to her children Tad and Willie, now employed in the Treasury. Spinner, to whom the letters are addressed, was elected to the Senate as a Democrat in 1854, but, by 1860, he fervently supported Lincoln and Republican policies. Lincoln rewarded Spinner for his loyalty by appointing him Treasurer in 1861, a position he held until 1875. These letters vividly portray Mary's mounting concern over her unpaid debts, which would soon develop into an obsession.30 December 1865: "Mr. Wentworth, called last evening & proposed writing you to day, relative to the $25,000 -- which Congress voted me. Please send it to me as soon, as you conveniently can $16,000 -- in 7-30s -- seven thirties -- the, remaining $9000 -- in money. I trust, notwithstanding the arduous duties, of your office, your health remains good..." 11 January [1866]: "As you were so kind, as to offer to convert the money coming to me, into 7 3/10 bonds, I enclose you the draft, endorsed to your order, for that purpose, I will leave it, to your discretion, as to which of the issues to take -- at the present market price the draft will purchase twenty two thousand dollars, [$]22,000 -- of bonds, with accrued interest, and leave some margin. Please send a draft for the surplus..." 14 March [1866]: "Your letter & receipts have been received -- In a few days, I will send you the remaining sum. May I, at the same time, ask the favor of you, to advance the sum of $10 -- to Mr. Williamson, I will faithfully remit it to you, next week -- when I send you a check, for the other sum..." 6 April 1866: "Circumstances, have delayed my sending you, the remainder of the money, to close final settlement, I hope to do so, in a very few days. I presume, you received the note, I wrote you, requesting you to hand Mr[.] Williamson $10 -- that, will also be returned to you, at same time..." 23 July [1866]: "You will kindly pardon my long delay, in refunding you the $10 -- you handed -- Mr. Williamson on my behalf -- For your consideration, pray accept my thanks. At the same time, may I trouble you to have sent to Gall & Bro. the remaining sum due them -- and in return receive their receipt in full. Also -- will you, yourself, return the receipt to me..." (9)

LINCOLN, MARY, First Lady. Five autograph letters signed ("Mary Lincoln") to U.S. TREASURER FRANCIS E. SPINNER; Chicago, Illinois, 30 December 1865--23 July 1866. Together 7 pages, 8vo & 4to (mainly 4to), on Mrs.Lincoln's personal black-bordered mourning stationery (one monogrammed "L"), second page of one letter removed from a backing, with two tears and corner torn away (not affecting text), each docketed on back by Spinner [With:] An original postmarked envelope addressed in Mrs. Lincoln's hand, marked "Private" -- BENTLEY, NORMAN S., Merchant, friend of Mary Lincoln. Autograph list of 10 creditors (mostly merchants) of Mary Lincoln, addressed to Spinner, New York, 13 February 1866. 1 page, 8vo, integral blank with Spinner's docket "Memoranda of Mrs. Lincoln's Debts to be arranged by me," in which Bentley notes: "The above are the only parties in whose favor I may Draw on you for Mrs. Lincoln's Deposit" -- WILLIAMSON, ALEXANDER, Treasury Department official, former tutor to Tad and Willie Lincoln, Treasury Department official. Autograph note signed ("AlexWilliamson"), n.p., 17 March 1866, 1 page, oblong, confirming receipt of $10 "on account of Mrs. M. Lincoln"; Autograph statement showing interest paid on Mary Lincoln's $22,000 from December to January 15 [1866], 1 page, oblong -- HERRING, W.J. Printed document accomplished and signed, FORWARDING THE REMAINING PORTION OF LINCOLN'S SALARY AS PRESIDENT FOR 1865, Washington, D.C., 5 January 1866, 1 page, oblong, on form printed in red ink of the Adams Express Co., acknowledging receipt from F.E. Spinner of a packet "said to contain" $22,000 (in cash), addressed to Mary Lincoln in Chicago. "THE WIDOW LINCOLN" BORROWS TEN DOLLARS WHILE SHE STRUGGLES TO CLAIM ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S SALARY AS PRESIDENT At the time of President Lincoln's assassination, Mary Lincoln was approximately $10,000 in debt due to compulsive, extravagant spending during her difficult years in the White House. She was advised that she could expect no more from Congress than the payment of her husband's salary as President for the remainder of the year 1865: "two other presidential wives, Anna Harrison and Margaret Taylor, had received this settlement silently and gratefully" (Jean Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography, 1987, p.263). She was determined not to pay her debts from her share of her husband's estate (which amounted to only $1500 a year) and instead petitioned Congress to be granted the unpaid portion of Lincoln's four-year, $100,000 annual salary. Bills authorizing her to receive the four-year salary were introduced both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, but it was withdrawn in the House, and Congress ultimately decided to appropriate only $25,000 for the year 1865. Since Lincoln had served six weeks of his second term, Mary was thus awarded $22,025: one year's salary minus six weeks pay and federal taxes! She viewed this as an insult because of the special circumstances surrounding Lincoln's death, but had no choice but to accept what she considered "a pitiful offering at best and most ungraciously bestowed," (Baker, p.263). Mary desperately needed the funds to pay off her creditors, who were becoming restive and hinting at public lawsuits: "already she had discovered (though it was an oft-forgotten lesson) that her husband's reputation was not transferable and that as widow Lincoln, she was treated with none of the indulgence she had received as Mrs. President Lincoln" (Baker, p.258). In this partly unpublished correspondence, Mary Lincoln urges Treasurer Francis E. Spinner to quickly send her the funds Congress had grudgingly voted her, gives instructions for converting a portion into certificates and arranges to borrow $10.00 from Williamson, a former tutor to her children Tad and Willie, now employed in the Treasury. Spinner, to whom the letters are addressed, was elected to the Senate as a Democrat in 1854, but, by 1860, he fervently supported Lincoln and Republican policies. Lincoln rewarded Spinner for his loyalty by appointing him Treasurer in 1861, a position he held until 1875. These letters vividly portray Mary's mounting concern over her unpaid debts, which would soon develop into an obsession. 30 December 1865: "Mr. Wentworth, called last evening & proposed writing you to day, relative to the $25,000 -- which Congress voted me. Please send it to me as soon, as you conveniently can $16,000 -- in 7-30s -- seven thirties -- the, remaining $9000 -- in money. I trust, notwithstanding the arduous duties, of your office, your health remains good..." 11 January [1866]: "As you were so kind, as to offer to convert the money coming to me, into 7 3/10 bonds, I enclose you the draft, endorsed to your order, for that purpose, I will leave it, to your discretion, as to which of the issues to take -- at the present market price the draft will purchase twenty two thousand dollars, [$]22,000 -- of bonds, with accrued interest, and leave some margin. Please send a draft for the surplus..." 14 March [1866]: "Your letter & receipts have been received -- In a few days, I will send you the remaining sum. May I, at the same time, ask the favor of you, to advance the sum of $10 -- to Mr. Williamson, I will faithfully remit it to you, next week -- when I send you a check, for the other sum..." 6 April 1866: "Circumstances, have delayed my sending you, the remainder of the money, to close final settlement, I hope to do so, in a very few days. I presume, you received the note, I wrote you, requesting you to hand Mr[.] Williamson $10 -- that, will also be returned to you, at same time..." 23 July [1866]: "You will kindly pardon my long delay, in refunding you the $10 -- you handed -- Mr. Williamson on my behalf -- For your consideration, pray accept my thanks. At the same time, may I trouble you to have sent to Gall & Bro. the remaining sum due them -- and in return receive their receipt in full. Also -- will you, yourself, return the receipt to me..." (9)

Details

LINCOLN, MARY, First Lady. Five autograph letters signed ("Mary Lincoln") to U.S. TREASURER FRANCIS E. SPINNER; Chicago, Illinois, 30 December 1865--23 July 1866. Together 7 pages, 8vo & 4to (mainly 4to), on Mrs.Lincoln's personal black-bordered mourning stationery (one monogrammed "L"), second page of one letter removed from a backing, with two tears and corner torn away (not affecting text), each docketed on back by Spinner [With:] An original postmarked envelope addressed in Mrs. Lincoln's hand, marked "Private" -- BENTLEY, NORMAN S., Merchant, friend of Mary Lincoln. Autograph list of 10 creditors (mostly merchants) of Mary Lincoln, addressed to Spinner, New York, 13 February 1866. 1 page, 8vo, integral blank with Spinner's docket "Memoranda of Mrs. Lincoln's Debts to be arranged by me," in which Bentley notes: "The above are the only parties in whose favor I may Draw on you for Mrs. Lincoln's Deposit" -- WILLIAMSON, ALEXANDER, Treasury Department official, former tutor to Tad and Willie Lincoln, Treasury Department official. Autograph note signed ("AlexWilliamson"), n.p., 17 March 1866, 1 page, oblong, confirming receipt of $10 "on account of Mrs. M. Lincoln"; Autograph statement showing interest paid on Mary Lincoln's $22,000 from December to January 15 [1866], 1 page, oblong -- HERRING, W.J. Printed document accomplished and signed, FORWARDING THE REMAINING PORTION OF LINCOLN'S SALARY AS PRESIDENT FOR 1865, Washington, D.C., 5 January 1866, 1 page, oblong, on form printed in red ink of the Adams Express Co., acknowledging receipt from F.E. Spinner of a packet "said to contain" $22,000 (in cash), addressed to Mary Lincoln in Chicago.

"THE WIDOW LINCOLN" BORROWS TEN DOLLARS WHILE SHE STRUGGLES TO CLAIM ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S SALARY AS PRESIDENT

At the time of President Lincoln's assassination, Mary Lincoln was approximately $10,000 in debt due to compulsive, extravagant spending during her difficult years in the White House. She was advised that she could expect no more from Congress than the payment of her husband's salary as President for the remainder of the year 1865: "two other presidential wives, Anna Harrison and Margaret Taylor, had received this settlement silently and gratefully" (Jean Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography, 1987, p.263). She was determined not to pay her debts from her share of her husband's estate (which amounted to only $1500 a year) and instead petitioned Congress to be granted the unpaid portion of Lincoln's four-year, $100,000 annual salary. Bills authorizing her to receive the four-year salary were introduced both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, but it was withdrawn in the House, and Congress ultimately decided to appropriate only $25,000 for the year 1865. Since Lincoln had served six weeks of his second term, Mary was thus awarded $22,025: one year's salary minus six weeks pay and federal taxes! She viewed this as an insult because of the special circumstances surrounding Lincoln's death, but had no choice but to accept what she considered "a pitiful offering at best and most ungraciously bestowed," (Baker, p.263). Mary desperately needed the funds to pay off her creditors, who were becoming restive and hinting at public lawsuits: "already she had discovered (though it was an oft-forgotten lesson) that her husband's reputation was not transferable and that as widow Lincoln, she was treated with none of the indulgence she had received as Mrs. President Lincoln" (Baker, p.258).

In this partly unpublished correspondence, Mary Lincoln urges Treasurer Francis E. Spinner to quickly send her the funds Congress had grudgingly voted her, gives instructions for converting a portion into certificates and arranges to borrow $10.00 from Williamson, a former tutor to her children Tad and Willie, now employed in the Treasury. Spinner, to whom the letters are addressed, was elected to the Senate as a Democrat in 1854, but, by 1860, he fervently supported Lincoln and Republican policies. Lincoln rewarded Spinner for his loyalty by appointing him Treasurer in 1861, a position he held until 1875. These letters vividly portray Mary's mounting concern over her unpaid debts, which would soon develop into an obsession.

30 December 1865: "Mr. Wentworth, called last evening & proposed writing you to day, relative to the $25,000 -- which Congress voted me. Please send it to me as soon, as you conveniently can $16,000 -- in 7-30s -- seven thirties -- the, remaining $9000 -- in money. I trust, notwithstanding the arduous duties, of your office, your health remains good..." 11 January [1866]: "As you were so kind, as to offer to convert the money coming to me, into 7 3/10 bonds, I enclose you the draft, endorsed to your order, for that purpose, I will leave it, to your discretion, as to which of the issues to take -- at the present market price the draft will purchase twenty two thousand dollars, [$]22,000 -- of bonds, with accrued interest, and leave some margin. Please send a draft for the surplus..." 14 March [1866]: "Your letter & receipts have been received -- In a few days, I will send you the remaining sum. May I, at the same time, ask the favor of you, to advance the sum of $10 -- to Mr. Williamson, I will faithfully remit it to you, next week -- when I send you a check, for the other sum..." 6 April 1866: "Circumstances, have delayed my sending you, the remainder of the money, to close final settlement, I hope to do so, in a very few days. I presume, you received the note, I wrote you, requesting you to hand Mr[.] Williamson $10 -- that, will also be returned to you, at same time..." 23 July [1866]: "You will kindly pardon my long delay, in refunding you the $10 -- you handed -- Mr. Williamson on my behalf -- For your consideration, pray accept my thanks. At the same time, may I trouble you to have sent to Gall & Bro. the remaining sum due them -- and in return receive their receipt in full. Also -- will you, yourself, return the receipt to me..." (9)