Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House

[286] upon the merits of the case. Mr. Lincoln replied, with considerable warmth of manner, “I have done with ‘commissions.’ I believe they are contrivances to cheat the Government out of every pound of cotton they can lay their hands on.” Mr. Ashmun's face flushed, and he replied that he hoped the President meant no personal imputation.

Mr. Lincoln saw that he had wounded his friend, and he instantly replied: “You did not understand me, Ashmun. I did not mean what you inferred. I take it all back.” Subsequently he said: “I apologize to you, Ashmun.”

He then engaged to see Mr. Ashmun early the next morning, and taking a card, he wrote:

These were his last written words. Turning to Mr. Colfax he said: “You will accompany Mrs. Lincoln and me to the theatre, I hope?” Mr. Colfax pleaded other engagements,--expecting to start on his Pacific trip the next morning. The party passed out on the portico together, the President saying at the very last, “Colfax, don't forget to tell the people of the mining regions what I told you this morning about the development when peace comes;” then shaking hands with both gentlemen, he followed Mrs. Lincoln into the carriage, leaning forward, at the last moment, to say as they were driven off, “I will telegraph you, Colfax, at ”