Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House

“‘ [246] have been deceived too often,’ said General Halleek, ‘and I regret I can't grant it.’ Judge B. then went to Stanton, and was very briefly disposed of, with the same result. Finally, he obtained an interview with Mr. Lincoln, and stated his case. ‘Have you applied to General Halleck?’ inquired the President. ‘Yes, and met with a flat refusal,’ said Judge B. ‘Then you must see Stanton,’ continued the President. ‘I have, and with the same result,’ was the reply. ‘Well, then,’ said Mr. Lincoln, with a smile, ‘I can do nothing; for you must know that I have very little influence with this Administration.’ ”

Mr. Colfax told me of a gentleman's going to the President, one day, with a bitter denunciation of Secretary Stanton and his management of the War Department. “Go home, my friend,” interrupted Mr. Lincoln, “and read attentively the tenth verse of the thirtieth chapter of Proverbs!” ¹

A lieutenant, whom debts compelled to leave his father-land and service, succeeded in being admitted to President Lincoln, and, by reason of his commendable and winning deportment and intelligent appearance, was promised a lieutenant's commission in a cavalry regiment. He was so enraptured with his success, that he deemed it a duty to inform the President that he belonged to one of the oldest noble houses in Germany. “Oh, never mind that,”