February 10, 1861; The New York Herald
SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Feb. 9, 1861.
The President elect, having completed the first draft of his inaugural, is now busily engaged in arranging his domestic affairs. He attends to the minute details of the preparations for the impending removal of himself and family with his characteristic dutifulness. The close approach of his departure has rendered him unusually grave and reflecting. The parting with this scene of his joys and sorrows during the last thirty years, and a large circle of old and faithful friends, apparently saddens him, and directs his thoughts to the cherished past rather than the uncertain future. His interview with the more intimate of his friends are more frequent and affectionate, and visits of strangers are not encouraged; but, although more than ordinarily moved with tender feelings, he evidently fully realizes the solemnity of the mission on which he is about to enter, and is resolved to fulfill it firmly , fearlessly and conscientiously.
The following gentlemen will compose the suite of the President elect: – Col. Summer, Major Hunter, R. T. Lincoln (Bob), J. U. Nicholy, Private Secretary; J. Hay, Assistant Private Secretary; E. E. Ellsworth, of Zouave fame; Col. W. N. Lamon, Gov. Yates, Aid de Camp; Judge Davis, Hon. J. K. Dubois, Hon. O. H. Bowning, E. L. Baker, Editor of the Springfield Journal; G. C. Latham and R. Irwin.
Mr. Baker will return here for Indianapolis to escort Mrs. Lincoln and family to New York. MIss Baker will accompany Mrs. Lincoln and assist in doing the honors of the White House. Mrs. Edwards and Miss Wallace will not be in Washington as heretofore reported.
Mrs. Lincoln will start for St. Louis on Monday evening, to make additional purchases for the White House.
Dr. Rabe, Jas. R. McDonald and Thos. Fitch of San Francisco, are here urging the appointment of a California member of the Cabinet. Dr. Rabe is supposed to be willing to take either the Collectorship or Postmastership of San Francisco.
A member of the Georgia Secession Convention called and had a long talk with Mr. Lincoln yesterday noon. He tried to exact a positive committal on one of the compromise propositions from him, but was unsuccessful.
Some days since a box was expressed to Mr. Lincoln from Tennessee, no letter accompanying it. Some hesitation was at first felt to open it. This morning, however, his private secretary overturned the box, when it was found to contain a stuffed figure representing an African.