In 1864, after calling at the White House, a Quaker wrote Mary Lincoln explaining how she could help the president: “Thou hast it in thy power to strengthen his hands in the great work in which he is engaged, to encourage him in seasons of deep discouragement; to soothe & cheer him in times of depression; to divert his attention in seasons of relaxation, from the heavy pressure of care & the weight of Government; to train his sons to honor their father & their father’s God, to shield him from all little cares & annoyances in his home.” Instead of performing those functions, Mrs. Lincoln was a constant source of anxiety and embarrassment to her husband, who often talked to Orville H. Browning “about his domestic troubles.” As Browning reported, the president “several times told me there [in the White House] that he was constantly under great apprehension lest his wife should do something which would bring him into disgrace.” David Davis also worried that Mary Lincoln “will disgrace her husband.” They had good reason to be apprehensive. As if Lincoln did not have enough trouble dealing with recalcitrant generals, editors, senators, governors, congressmen, office seekers, and cabinet members—not to mention Confederates—the First Lady added immeasurably to his woes.
Source: Abraham Lincoln ∶ A Life ▫𓂃