ALBANY -- Lincoln gave a speech in New York City that propelled him to the presidency, traveled to West Point for military advice from General Winfield Scott, answered charges from Erastus Corning and others that he was trampling the Constitution, and shared his box at Ford’s Theater with a couple from Albany on the night he was assassinated. These and other connections between Lincoln and New York State are explored in a special issue of New York Archives magazine, guest edited by Harold Holzer, co-chair of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and member of the board of the New York Archives Partnership Trust.
The issue was timed to coincide with the celebration of Lincoln’s 200th birthday on February 12, and may be purchased by contacting the publisher, the Archives Partnership Trust at aptrust@mail.nysed.gov or (518) 486-1454. Partial content of the magazine is online for free at www.nysarchivestrust.org.
Pulitzer Prize winners William Kennedy and James M. McPherson are featured authors in the special issue along with distinguished historians Catherine Clinton, James Oliver Horton, Craig L. Symonds, Hans L. Trefousse and Frank J. Williams. Holzer introduces the issue with a thoughtful essay about Lincoln’s speechmaking over a four-year period.
Kennedy’s essay examines Lincoln’s connections with the city of Albany including the little-known fact that John Wilkes Booth and Lincoln were in town at the same time, Booth to perform in a play and Lincoln on his way to Washington to be sworn in as president.
McPherson concentrates his story on Lincoln’s travels to West Point in the dark days of the war when he had lost faith in his generals. Lincoln added a side-trip to the Cold Spring Foundry where he indulged his fascination with technology by observing a demonstration of powerful 100 and 200 pound Parrott guns.
The aftermath of Mrs. Lincoln’s Manhattan shopping sprees is the subject of Catherine Clinton’s article that paints a portrait of a vulnerable widow desperately trying to rid herself of debt by selling her clothing and jewels at public auction.
James Oliver Horton provides an insightful examination of the relationship between Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Both men were largely self-educated and came to a unique, respectful understanding of each other. When Lincoln received Douglass at the White House, Douglass called it one of the most memorable experiences of his life.
We learn from Craig L. Symonds’ essay that Lincoln enthusiastically accepted Brooklynite John Ericsson’s design for a warship with revolving turret. In less than 100 days, the USS Monitor was launched from the Continental Iron Works in Brooklyn in 1862.
Hans Trefousse’s essay puts to rest the claim Lincoln was unappreciated during his lifetime with a careful examination of the coverage he received in New York newspapers, which was generally positive, increasing in praise as time went on.
Finally, Frank J. Williams, Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, expertly analyzes Lincoln’s proclamation of martial law and the trying of civilians in military tribunals. Protests were widespread, none more so than from Democrats in Albany led by Erastus Corning, former mayor of Albany. Lincoln responds with a twenty-page letter outlining his position.
“Lincoln spent little time in New York, but the connections between the president and the Empire State are important, yet little-known,” said Christine W. Ward, State Archivist. “By drawing together these essays from such notable scholars and writers, this issue of New York Archives magazine makes a significant contribution to the history of New York State.
New York Archives is a benefit of membership in the Archives Partnership Trust, a not-for-profit organizations whose purpose is to raise private funds to preserve and expand access to the treasures of the New York State Archives, a program of the State Education Department.