Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House

“ [48] use talking, or getting up conventions against him. He is going to be the candidate of the Baltimore Convention, and is sure to be reflected. ‘It was foreordained from the foundation of the world.’ I have no sympathy or patience with those who are trying to manufacture issues against him; but they will not succeed; he is too strong with the masses. For my part,” he concluded, “I am not only willing to take Mr. Lincoln for another term, but the same cabinet, right straight through.”

Xvi.

Wednesday, March 2d, I had an unusually long and interesting sitting from the President. I invited my friend, Mr. Sinclair, of New York, who was in Washington, to be present. The news had recently been received of the disaster under General Seymour in Florida. Many newspapers openly charged the President with having sent the expedition with primary reference to restoring the State in season to secure its vote at the forthcoming Baltimore Convention. Mr. Lincoln was deeply wounded by these charges. He referred to them during the sitting; and gave a simple and truthful statement of the affair, which was planned, if I remember rightly, by General Gillmore. A few days afterward, an editorial appeared in the New York Tribune, which was known not to favor Mr. Lincoln's renomination, entirely exonerating him from