MARY TODD LINCOLN DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR A SUIT SHE DID NOT ORDER, EVEN IF LINCOLN DID WEAR IT...

MARY TODD LINCOLN DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR A SUIT SHE DID NOT ORDER, EVEN IF LINCOLN DID WEAR IT TO THE INAUGURATION. LINCOLN, MARY TODD. 1818-1882. Autograph Letter Signed ('Mary Lincoln'), to Mssrs Hindhaugh & Co., disputing a bill for a suit of clothes for Lincoln, 2 pp, 8vo (178 x 111 mm), [October, 1861], leaves creased and toned, with clipped original autograph transmittal envelope franked by John Hay as private secretary to the President. WITH: ALS of William S. Wood, to Mssrs Hindhaugh and Co., reporting that the President wore the suit of clothes made by them at his inauguration and also at the evening events, 1 p, 4to (210 x 184 mm), Washington City, March 19, 1861, with clipped original transmittal envelope franked by John Nicolay as private secretary to the president, toning and dampstaining to both. Provenance: sold R&R Auction, Catalog 481, August 10, 2016, lot 24. William S. Wood (c.1813-1873) was a hotel manager and railroad executive who was chosen to supervise Lincoln's travel from Springfield to Washington via New York in early 1861. During the early months of the new administration, Wood and Mrs. Lincoln became quite close, and she secured for him an appointment as interim commissioner of public buildings. Wood accompanied Mrs. Lincoln on a shopping expedition to New York in the summer of 1861, though it may have been here that their relationship soured, as soon after she began criticizing him and he was not appointed to the regular position by Lincoln. By the time of this correspondence (October 1861), Mrs. Lincoln is happily throwing Wood under the bus for spending money without her authority. In an earlier letter to Mssrs Hindhaugh and Co., currently in the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, Mrs. Lincoln explains what is going on here: 'It is now brought to our recollection that whilst passing through New York [on their way to Washington for Lincoln's inauguration], last February, that Mr [William S.] Wood had the President measured for a suit of clothes, unordered & uncalled for, as he was well supplied with clothing. In the summer, I requested Mr Wood, to select a summer suit for him, which he did & is on your bill.' In a postscript she adds: 'I mention this to assure you, that if we had ordered the 'said suit,' your bill would have been settled some time since.' The suit made in January may have been 'unordered & uncalled for' by Mrs. Lincoln, but Mssrs Hindhaugh have the receipts, in the form of a letter from Mr. Wood himself (present here), that the January suit was actually worn by Lincoln to his inauguration, and that it 'gave him such entire satisfaction that he wore it at the ball on the evening of that day.' Wood continues, 'I give you this information thinking that it might give you pleasure, as well as to serve to correct any erroneous impressions which rumor may have created.' I am sure Mssrs Hindhaugh thought they had a slam dunk: Wood ordered it, Lincoln wore it (and loved it), and the White House should pay for it. But in the present letter written in October of 1861, Mrs. Lincoln refuses to budge from her position: 'Gentlemen: / There is no misunderstanding in the matter. Mr. Wood, without any order or unsolicited, had Mr. L. measured for a suit of clothes. Of course it was not supposed they were a present from you, but Wood mentioned that they were to be presented to the President—and nothing more was thought of it until your bill was presented. Mr. Wood was requested to select the summer suit. / I remain respectfully / Mary Lincoln.' It is not known if the Lincolns ever paid for the January suit, but Wood had already left the White House by the time this letter was written. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing