First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln Works to Find Jobs for Women During the Civil War

Mrs. Lincoln wants to secure a Treasury Department position for a woman

Criticized in the North for being a Southern spy, and censured in the South for betraying “the Cause,” Mary Todd Lincoln could not win. Yet the accomplishments of this often unappreciated First Lady are notable. She willingly accepted the duties of hostess and fashion leader that had become synonymous with the role of First Lady and further cemented the idea that the White House was a gathering place for intellectuals as well as entertainers. She backed the establishment of a female nursing corps and personally intervened to help women acquire employment in the Treasury and War Departments. Her interest in the abolition of slavery evolved as her friendship with dressmaker Elizabeth Keckley developed, and she became the first hostess to welcome African Americans as guests to the White House.

George Harrington was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and also handled personal financial matters for the Lincolns. After the Civil War, he was appointed chief clerk under his friend Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States.

This is one of Mary’s letters helping a young woman get a job with the Treasury Department. It demonstrates Mary Lincoln’s good will, generosity, and goal to aid women get jobs. Autograph letter signed as First Lady, Washington, no date but matching letterhead used by her in 1864, to Harrington, trying to find a job in the Treasury Department for a girl. “The girl whom I promised a place in the Treasury has not acted worthily, therefore I request that I may insert another name in the place. I am sure it will be an unimportant matter to you, and your compliance will gratify me.” It seems that the first girl had antagonized Mary in some way and she wanted her replaced with a more acceptable candidate.

This document is an inherited family heirloom and has not been publicly offered for sale before.