Newly Discovered Letter of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln Finding Jobs for Women During the Civil War

Mary Todd Lincoln Wants to Secure a Treasury Department Position for a Woman in this Unpublished and Previously Unknown 1864 Letter. Learn more: www.raabcollec...
Criticized in the North for being a Southern spy, and censured in the South for betraying “the Cause,” Mary Todd Lincoln could not win. Yet the accomplishments of this often unappreciated First Lady are notable. She willingly accepted the duties of hostess and fashion leader that had become synonymous with the role of First Lady and further cemented the idea that the White House was a gathering place for intellectuals as well as entertainers. She backed the establishment of a female nursing corps and personally intervened to help women acquire employment in the Treasury and War Departments. Her interest in the abolition of slavery evolved as her friendship with dressmaker Elizabeth Keckley developed, and she became the first hostess to welcome African Americans as guests to the White House.
George Harrington was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and also handled personal financial matters for the Lincolns. After the Civil War, he was appointed chief clerk under his friend Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States.
This is one of Mary’s letters helping a young woman get a job with the Treasury Department. It demonstrates Mary Lincoln’s good will, generosity, and goal to aid women get jobs. Autograph letter signed as First Lady, Washington, no date but matching letterhead used by her in 1864, to Harrington, trying to find a job in the Treasury Department for a girl. “The girl whom I promised a place in the Treasury has not acted worthily, therefore I request that I may insert another name in the place. I am sure it will be an unimportant matter to you, and your compliance will gratify me.” It seems that the first girl had antagonized Mary in some way and she wanted her replaced with a more acceptable candidate.
This document is an inherited family heirloom and has not been publicly offered for sale before.
To see more historical documents at Raab, visit: www.raabcollec....

[@TheHare-rv3hj]

What an exciting finding.

[@chrisjones4717]

What an Amazing Piece of History.

[@DavidRowbotham-gu7kz]

Out of the blue I started practicing my cursive just yesterday. I thought it would be great to drop it on a malinial.

[@Clancy192]

She was what we would today call "corrupt". She overspent and would position a few people in government jobs who were then beholden to her. She'd get payoffs from these people and cover her outstanding bills. I think Lincoln heard of her debts only once and he quickly covered them. Mary had some serious mental issues that partly manifested themselves in huge amounts of spending. Mostly on her own wardrobe. Especially after Lincoln was murdered sitting right next to her. She also worked as a nurse on wounded troops and I don't think she was a bad person. Just a bit "out there". She often embarrassed Abe and tested his patience.

[@paulazemeckis7835]

It is known she had mental illness, i.e, depression. Shame on you for posting unsubstantiated fodder.