February 18, 1861; The New York Herald
BUFFALO, Feb. 17, 1861.
Late last evening Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln held separate levees in the parlors of the American House. The general crowd gathered in the vestibule of the hotel were refused admittance, and only a limited number of ladies and gentlemen were presented. Governor Morgan’s staff was also introduced.
At half past nine the President and lady retired to their apartments.
The cold, damp weather today being unfavorable to outdoor movements, the Presidential party spent most of their time about the hotel.
Mr. Fillmore called at ten A.M., with a carriage, for Mr. Lincoln, and both attended divine service at the Unitarian church. Dr. Hosmer, the pastor, invoked the blessings of heaven upon the incoming administration in a most impressive manner in his opening prayer. Many of the congregation were moved to tears. At the close of the service Mr. Lincoln was introduced to the minister and a number of prominent members of the church.
From the church the ex-President and President elect rode back to the hotel, and where joined by Mrs. Lincoln, when the party were driven to Mr. Fillmore’s private residence to partake of a lunch.
Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln returned to the hotel at two o’clock p.m., and spent the remainder of the day in their rooms. They were called upon by a number of distinguished ladies and gentlemen in the course of the afternoon – among the latter the most conspicuous were Hon. G. W. Clinton, A. M. Clapp, F. P. Stevens, A. S. Bemis, Jas. Putnam, D. S. Hunt, F. J. Fithian, J. A. Verplanck, N. K. Hall, R. P. Larvin, N. D. Davis, M. Grover, B. Van Horn, M. C., and P. Dorsheimer.
The marked courtesy of Mr. Fillmore to the President elect was the subject of general praise today.
Mr. Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln produced a decidedly favorable impression upon all that come in contact with them in this city.
A distribution of federal offices in this city is freely discussed by politicians. A. M. Clapp and Mayor Alberger are mentioned in connection with the Post Office. The extra display of bunting about the Express building was doubtlessly intended for the benefit of the former.
Judge Baker and Joseph Conder are after the Collectorship; Gen. G. A. Scroggs was ‘Marshally’ attentive to the Presidential party, which may mean something.
Maj. Hunter is doing well. He will be able to go on with the party.
Horace Greeley came in this morning from Erie.
The members of the press are under many obligations to the General Superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Company for courtesies received on the journey from Cincinnati to this city.
After dinner Mr. Lincoln went to hear Father Beason, the Indian preacher. There was great curiosity to see him. A benediction was invoked in his behalf. The audience gathered at the door to shake hands with him.
Mr. Lincoln’s voice was yesterday nearly gone. Today it is some better.
John Nicolay, of Illinois, has been appointed private secretary during the Presidential term.