...ml1/strict"> expressed their acknowledgments of the courtesy, and Mr. Lincoln led the way by the private staircase to the state dining-room. In the passage through the hall he jocularly remarked to Mr. Thompson , Your folks made rather sad work of this mansion when they came up the Potomac in 1812. Nothing was left of it but the bare walls. I do not remember the reply to this sally, save that it was giv...