President Admits Curious Tourist Before Cabinet Meeting

February 19, 1864

Navy Secretary Gideon Welles writes in his diary: “As I went into the Cabinet-meeting a fair, plump lady pressed forward and insisted she must see the President – only for a moment – wanted nothing.  I made her request known to the President, who directed that she should be admitted.  She said her name was Holmes, that she belonged in Dubuque, Iowa, was passing East and came from Baltimore expressly to have a look at President Lincoln.  ‘Well, in the matter of looking at one another,’ said the President, laughing, ‘I have altogether the advantage.’  She wished his autograph, and was a special admirer and enthusiastic.”

During the afternoon, President Lincoln hosts a reception attended by some little people appearing in a stage production in Washington: including siblings Charles and Eliza Nestel of Indiana whose stage names are “Commodore Foote” and “Fairy Queen.”  At night, Lincoln goes to Grover’s Theatre to watch actor Edwin Booth.

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