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Parlor Number Six:
During the 10 days leading up to his inauguration, Lincoln made his home in Willard's, Washington's grandest hotel. His trip cut short in Baltimore, the president-elect arrived abruptly in Washington on the morning of February 23. While the rest of his party headed to the dining room for a feast of Potomac shad, an exhausted Lincoln retired to Parlor Number Six. Lincoln was happier when his wife, Mary, and their two younger sons, Willie and Tad, arrived at Willard's that afternoon.
General Winfield Scott, "The Grand Old Man of the Army," was the longest serving active duty general in American history. In 1861, at the age of 80, he remained General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army.
Lincoln Plays Host:
Parlor Six of Willard's Hotel was a busy place in the days leading up to Lincoln's inauguration. 80-year-old Winfield Scott, the hero of the War of 1812, came by to pay his respects to the president-elect. So did Lincoln's rival Stephen Douglas, as well as the mayor of Washington and a host of lobbyists arguing for or against potential Cabinet members.
Peace Convention:
On his first night in the capital, Lincoln entertained delegates from the Peace Convention. This group of mostly elderly men, representing 21 states, had convened in a last ditch attempt to avoid civil war. They pressed Lincoln to spell out his policies. The president-elect reminded them of his inauguration oath; to enforce existing laws and uphold the Constitution.
What did he intend to do about Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, the last important southern military installation still in Union hands? At one point Lincoln reportedly offered to withdraw federal troops from Sumter -- if Virginia stayed in the Union. "A State for a fort is no bad business," he remarked. In truth, Lincoln had yet to make up his mind about Sumter. |