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Abram Wakeman (1824-1889)

Abram Wakeman was “affable, insinuating and pleasant, though not profound not reliable,” observed Navy Secretary Gideon Welles.1 Welles, a strong critic of New York politics, did not approval of President Lincoln’s shift in New York patronage in September 1864: “The removal of Andrews as Naval Officer, the appointment of Wakeman to his place, causing Wakeman to leave the post-office, into which they have thrust Kelly, an old fiddler for Seward in other years, is a Weed operation.”2 Wakeman’s political background was limited. He had served only a single term in the New York State Assembly in the early 1850s and a single term in Congress (1855-1857). His real claim to political power was his association with Republican leaders Thurlow Weed and Henry J. Raymond.
In March 1864, one of Wakeman’s sponsors, New York Times editor Raymond, wrote President Lincoln: “If the Collectorship of this Port is to be vacated I beg leave to say that in my judgment Hon. A. Wakeman is the very best man for the succession. His ability, personal character, political experience, & general familiarity with the duties and responsibilities of such a position qualify him to fill it with complete success. His appointment, moreover, I think would contribute largely towards healing sundry domestic differences in the ranks of the Union party, and that too without any sacrifice of principle or any injustice to individuals.”3
In 1864, Wakeman would serve as a very active agent for the President’s reelection during 1864 — and a useful go-between with Thurlow Weed. The New York Postmaster wrote Postmaster General Montgomery Blair in late March 1864 — a letter which was read by President Lincoln:
I returned from Albany last evening Our State Committee met there on Wednesday A strong effort was made to induce the Committee to pass a resolution requesting the National Committee to reconsider the time for the meeting of the National Convention until September next-
This was passed by the Fremont men and all others opposed to Mr. Lincoln, and was with difficulty prevented[.] It resulted, however, not only in their not passing any such resolution, but I succeeded in inducing the Committees to sign an autograph letter addressed to the President, pledging him their continued support &c &c.
This was signed by every member of the committee present and will be speedily forwarded to the President
I deemed this something accomplished in the right direction
The Legislature are reluctant to act, yet I have commenced an effort which I think will result favorably- 4
President Lincoln, who needed th support of Thurlow Weed, wrote Wakeman, an unusually frank letter about politics, in July 1864: “I feel that the subject which you pressed upon my attention in our recent conversation is an important one. The men of the South, they are in the confidential employment of the rebellion; and they tell us as distinctly that they are not empowered to offer terms of peace. Does any one doubt that what they are empowered to offer terms of peace. Does any one doubt that what they are empowered to do, is to assist in selecting and arranging a candidate and a platform for the Chicago convention? Who could have given them this confidential employment but he who only a week since declared to Jacquess and Gilmore that he had no terms of peace but the independence of the South—the dissolution of the Union? Thus the present presidential contest will almost certainly be no other than a contest between a Union and Disunion candidate, disunion certainly following the success of the latter. The issue is a mighty one for all people and all time; and whoever aids the right, will be appreciated and remembered.”5 Apparently, Wakeman understood that he was to enlist the support of New York Heraldeditor James Gordon Bennett for the Lincoln Administration. Wakeman responded on August 12:
Your excellent letter was duly received I have read it with proper explanations to Mr B. He said, after some moments of silence, that so far as it related to him, “it did not amount to much”-
I supposed, if anything was written, something more specific would be expected However, I hope to avoid the writing of any thing further Should it be deemed necessary I will indicate my views as to its form, personally, as I expect to be in Washington next week I have ventured to show this letter to several of my our freinds [sic] (of course without indicating a word as to what drew it out) and it has met with universal approval
A word upon our other matter I am fearful our hold upon Mr [Thurlow] Weed is slight He evidently has his eye upon some other probable candidate[.] I deeply regret this, for against him it will be difficult to carry New York Now I don’t know, precisely, what he asked when he last saw you, but I think, so far as I could without compromising principle, I would yield to his wishes[.] Cant this be done? If so, it should be, at once
Daily cogitations are occuring [sic] and new alliances may be formed I think this requires instant attention
Again, much anxiety exists as to the effect of the draft Men must be had
Cant they be obtained in some other way? Let me suggest Genl [Daniel] Sickles is idle[.] He is immensely popular with the war people of this State[.] He has great tact & address[.] I am of the opinion, with proper appliances, he could raise fifty thousand men in this State before election[.] This would be a great point[.] But, politically, he would be ranked with us, and in this he could be of immense service You could fix this easily by a personal interview-6
Wakeman closed the letter: “I learn Mrs. L. is to be in New York the first of the week Pray present my compliments to her and say if I can serve her in any way I should be most happy — By the way, I may say we have inaugurated a movement which will harmonize the New York conflicting organizations”.7 A few weeks later, Wakeman was appointed Surveyor of the Port of New York.
Wakeman had wanted to be named Collector of Customs, but Republican moderates and leading businessmen in New York favored Simeon Draper for the post. Businessman Moses H. Grinnell wrote the President opposing Wakeman’s appointment, saying “He holds a good Office, our party has fallen to a mere cypher, while he has held the position of representing the Administration and certainly nothing can warrant one man holding two prominent offices.”8Wakeman’s position as Postmaster may have worked to his disadvantage in another way. During the July 1863 draft riots, his home in Yorkville was burned to the ground.
Mr. Lincoln had used William Bartlett as a contact for the Herald‘s James Gordon Bennett during the autumn. Mr. Lincoln was meanwhile using Wakeman in his ongoing attempt to move New York Herald Editor closer to the Lincoln Administration. The intermediary President Lincoln was using was not responding to his letters. In January 26, 1865, President Lincoln wrote Wakeman: “I have telegraphed W. O. Bartlett to come and see me. He neither comes, nor answers. Can you not send him?” Wakeman replied: Mr B only got your dispatch this morning He will go over tonight” Bartlett responded: “Mr Wakeman was sent. Your telegram but just received. I will be there tomorrow.”9
In March 20 Mrs. Lincoln wrote Abram Wakeman about the reported offer to Bennett to be named Minister to France: “The papers appear to think it is one of Mr L’s ‘last jokes,’ the offer made to Mr. lest he [James Gordon Bennett] might consider, that it was intended as a jest, please, do not fail to express my regrets to him — you will understand — even give W[eed] to understand — that I regret, that Mr B- did not accept.”10
Mrs. Lincoln’s biographer, Jean H. Baker, wrote: “Others were less impressed with the New Yorker. Secretary of the Navy Welles believed Wakeman ‘affable, insinuating, and pleasant, though not professionally reliable. He believes everything fair and proper in party operations and supposes everyone else is the same.’ But no matter what Welles thought, after Wakeman had engineered an early endorsement for the President’s renomination from New York Republican Central Committee, he was welcomed both upstairs and downstairs in the White House. But Wakeman was careful, balancing his attentions by asking Lincoln’s permission to escort his wife when she was in New York.”11
Wakeman did chores for many in public life. He was used an emissary by Senator William H. Seward in the transition period in early 1861, but his principles were considered suspect by some of the city’s leading Republicans.12 “Our friend Wakeman goes to Albany at my urgent request to get the legislature to assent to [Secretary of the Treasury John A.] Dix’s proposition to guarantee U.S. six per cent. Bonds to the amount of the United States Deposit Fund.”13
But Mrs. Lincoln was a special case. Biographer Jean H. Baker, wrote: “In 1864 Wakeman did more than renegotiate her bills. Along with several other members of the Blue Room Salon, he served as a listening post in the world of politics from which Mary Lincoln was increasingly excluded. No matter that Wakeman had been closely aligned with her archenemy Seward or that he was still a friend of Thurlow Weed, whom she loathed. Mary Lincoln intended to use him — and the others — to get her husband reelected.”14 Another biographer, Ishbel Ross, wrote that the “sum of her sins seemed to have reached its peak in the year her husband came up for reelection, and the fusillade continued, helped along by Mrs. Lincoln’s ill-judged indiscretions on her shopping trips to New York.” According to Ross, “With her passion for correspondence she wrote him some letters with cryptic political allusions that were to prove intensely embarrassing to her after the President’s assassination.”15
Wakeman, a political ally of New York political boss Thurlow Weed, worked his way into Mary Todd Lincoln’s inner circle — despite his association with two New York Republican leaders that she despised — Secretary of State William H. Seward and editor Thurlow Weed. Jean H. Baker, biographer of Mary Todd Lincoln, wrote: “At a time when many patronage seekers got only one invitation to her evenings (some were too unpleasant; other vulgar and not sufficiently ingratiating to their hostess), Wakeman impressed the First Lady with his intelligence and his spiritualism.”.16
Mrs. Lincoln wrote Wakeman on September 23, 1864: “I am just recovering from a little tedious indisposition and pour passer le temps and perhaps to interrupt you in your numerous engagements, I am now writing. You doubtless rejoiced with us over [General Philip H.] Sheridan’s last victory; these successes, will be beneficial in the rapidly approaching Election. I fear you had not a very encouraging report to make of your conversation with Mr L as regards Mr B[ennett] and General S[ickles]. A little notice of them would strengthen us very much I think. The P feels very kindly he assured me, towards General S and appreciates a kind expression of Mr B’s very much; altogether, it is strange. I see that the miserable ‘World‘ is criticizing very much, a sermon preached by your pastor, Dr Thomson [sic], last Sabbath. Of course, it would be far too loyal for their rebellious minds.”17
In late October 1864, Mrs. Lincoln wrote to Wakeman about a newspaper reference to one of her retail debts that had apparently been forgiven by creditors: “I have been much amused in looking over the Sunday Mercury to see that some kind Merchant, has been so generous towards us! When will their fabrications cease: Not until they find Mr L reelected. This is the reason, that makes their falsehoods so desperate! Please say not a word, to anyone not even W[eed] about the 5th Avenue business.”18
Mrs. Lincoln’s relationship with Wakeman seemed to grow more intimate in 1865. On January 30, 1865, Mrs. Lincoln wrote Wakeman after he clearly witnessed an argument in the First Family: “It will afford us much pleasure, to have you dine with us, most informally tomorrow evening at as ix o’clock. I name, an earlier hour, than usual, as the President, proposed to me himself, to attend the theatre to see [Edwin] Forrest in ‘Sparticus’ [sic], Mr. [John W.] Forney, whom you perhaps know, may accompany us. I have taken your advice, for I well know, how deeply grieved, the P[resident] feels over any coolness of mine. We have had quite a little laugh together, most fortunately for both my Husband and myself, who [would] have broken our hearts, had it been otherwise, notwithstanding our opposite natures, our lives have been eminently peaceful — The serpents that have crossed our pathways, will be remembered by both of us, with horror, in after years. The communication made you this morning, will I am sure, always be sacredly guarded by you — Asscenes are novelties with us, I felt strangely disposed to tell you. Thank Heaven, the storm has cleared away & I shall ever, even in jest, take especial pains not to provoke discussions, lest forbidden subjects, might be introduced — Excuse so long a note — I shall expect to see you, tomorrow at eleven o’clock.” Mrs. Lincoln also shared with Wakeman her animosity toward Edward McManus, whom she had fired as White House doorman — a job he had held for several decades.
On April 4, 1865, she again wrote Wakeman — in between trips to visit her husband at the Union headquarters outside of Richmond: “Your very kind not was received, but alas! Too late to remedy the evil — I returned home on Sunday morning & left Mr L with a promise that I would return on Wednesday, tomorrow, with a choice little party of friends. The company had already been formed & of course I cannot retract. Pray, for me, lest any evil spirits, come near me — I trust in some way, he [Weed] may have left C[ity] P[oint] ere we arrive.” She added: “I wish you would join us at City Point — We will have a most charming party — I have much to say to you, I am expecting quite a number of friends, this evening — the buildings & city are to be illuminated. Lights will glare from windows from whence rebellious hearts, have been wont to gaze — from — Such is life!” She closed the letter: “Remaining truly your friend.”19
The day before Mr. Lincoln’s assassination, Mrs. Lincoln wrote Wakeman: “Having a few moments of leisure I have concluded to write you something about our visit to City Point. I can scarcely express what a charming time we have had, and not encountering Mr W[eed] was the most agreeable feature of the excursion. I am told he had just left W for N.Y. I wish very much you had been with us, even our stately dignified Mr [Charles] Sumner acknowledged himself transformed, into a lad of sixteen. We have a gay time I assure you, & Richmond we visited as a matter of course & ‘the banquet halls’ of Jeff Davis looked sad and deserted. Each & every place will be repeopled with our glorious & Loyal people & the traitors meet the doom which a just Heaven ever awards the transgressor. Please do not acknowledge to Mr W that you wrote me, he with a party was en route to City Point, there is no necessity that heshould know, I had heard any thing about it.”20
Two years after Mr. Lincoln’s death, Mrs. Lincoln took a much harder line with Wakeman. When President Lincoln’s widow sought Wakeman’s help in paying her shopping debts, the patronage appointee was unresponsive. She wrote broker William H. Brady: “Please call and see Hon. Abram Wakeman. He was largely indebted to me for obtaining the lucrative office which he has held for several years, and from which he has amassed a very large fortune. He will assist me in my painful and humiliating situation, scarcely removed from want. He would scarcely hesitate to return, in a small manner, the many favors my husband and myself always showered upon him. Mr. Wakeman many times excited my sympathies in his urgent appeals for office, as well for himself as others. Therefore he will be only too happy to relieve me by purchasing one or more of the articles you will please place before him.”21 By that time, Wakeman had left his government post and returned to the more peaceful practice of law.

Footnotes

  1. Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Volume II, p. 122 (August 27, 1864).
  2. Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Volume II, p. 155 (September 21, 1864).
  3. Roy P. Basler, editor, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume VII, p. 461 (Letter to Abram Wakeman, July 25, 1864).
  4. Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois. (Letter from Henry J. Raymond to Abraham Lincoln, March 10, 1864).
  5. Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois.(Letter from Abram Wakeman to Montgomery Blair, March 25, 1864).
  6. Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois. (Letter from Abram Wakeman to Abraham Lincoln, August 12, 1864).
  7. Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois. (Letter from Abram Wakeman to Abraham Lincoln, August 12, 1864).
  8. Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois. (Letter from Moses H. Grinnell to Abraham Lincoln, August 29, 1864).
  9. TBA, .
  10. Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner, editor, Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters, p. 205 (Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Abram Wakefield, March 20, 1865).
  11. Jean H. Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biographer, p. 234.
  12. Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois. (Letter from Moses H. Grinnell to Abraham Lincoln, August 29, 1864).
  13. Thurlow Weed Barnes, editor, Memoir of Thurlow Weed, Volume II, p. 319 (Letter from William H. Seward to Thurlow Weed, January 31, 1861).
  14. Jean H. Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biographer, p. 234-235.
  15. Ishbel Ross, The President’s Wife: Mary Todd Lincoln, p. 211-212.
  16. Jean H. Baker, Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biographer, p. 234.
  17. Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner, editor, Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters, p. 180 (Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Abram Wakeman, September 23, 1864).
  18. Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner, editor, Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters, p. 181 (Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Abram Wakeman, October 23, 1864).
  19. Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner, editor, Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters, p. 212-213 (Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Abram Wakefield, April 4,1865).
  20. Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner, editor, Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters, p. 220 (Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Abram Wakefield, April 13, 1865).
  21. Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner, editor, Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters, p. 435 (Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to William H. Brady, September 14, 1867).