Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Brown, Christopher C. 'Christopher C. Brown (William H. Herndon Interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: interview]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon438.html

326. Christopher C. Brown (William H. Herndon Interview).

[1865—66]

C. C. Brown

Says that he came down to Lincoln's office Early on the morning of the day when Lincoln was nominated.

Lincoln was lieing on the Sofa—said "Well Brown, have you heard any thing."—Lincoln said "Lets go to the telegraph office., Brown" They did go over about 10 o'cl am. Lincoln stopt awhile till the telegraph brought the intelligence of the first ballot—the 2d. ballot—the 3d &c. Lincoln then exclaimed—"I've got him."

Lincoln played ball with me on that day (so he did with P. P. Enos, Baker ^[1] &c) L was nervous, fidgety—intensely excited Lincoln told stories—one of which was Washingtons picture in a necessary—privy in England—make an Englishman S—h—t. ^[2]

Lincoln came all the way from Coles Co., 80 or 90 M, to my wedding. Married Jno. T. Stuart—a relation to Lincoln ^[3]—In the morning after My Marriage Lincoln met me and Said—"Brown why is a woman like a barrel—" C.C.B. could not answer. Well Said Lincoln—You have to raise the hoops before you put the head in"—

Lincoln was our relative—The Todd—Stuart—Edwards family—with preacher & priest—dogs servants &c—got mad at Mr L because he made the house-divided-against-itself Speech. We inched—dodged—Lincoln said he would Explain: he did Explain—see his Speeches with Douglass—

Lincoln was a radical—fanatically so—& yet he never went beyond the People. Kept his views & thoughts to himself.—ie he never told all he felt. —

Brown Says further, that some Eastern Man—who had something to do in or with a news paper in N.Y—Came to our office (S.E & Brown ^[4]) on some business before L was generally spoken of as a candidate. The man Expressed a wish to see L. I took him to see Lincoln. The man said to Lincoln—I told our boys to put your name for Presd or Vice Pres on the banner. &c—

Mr Lincoln Said—Well my friend—I am much obliged to you—I guess either position is big & high Enough for me" Brown Says

I never heard Lincoln say anything about his religious views—or religion in any aspect—

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3844—45; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:159—61