American Historical Ephemera and Photography

STABLER, Edward (1794-1883). Autograph letter signed ("E. Stabler"). Addressed to "Dear J & M" [likely Mr. James S. Hallowell and his wife Mrs. Margaret Stabler Hallowell]. N.p., "5th day evening 4/4 '61." 1 1/2pp, 7 3/4 x 10 in. (creasing at folds, toning). Accompanied by cover addressed to James S. Hallowell of Alexandria, Virginia, bearing the free frank of "Edwd. Stabler PM" and a cancellation from Sandy Spring, Maryland.

Stabler writes to his daughter Margaret Stabler Hallowell (1824-1900) and son-in-law James S. Hallowell (1821-1886) regarding a meeting with President Abraham Lincoln on March 29, 1861, during which Stabler and Lincoln discussed Maryland candidates for political appointments. Stabler writes, in part: "...On 7th day morning I had a very satisfactory interview with the President -- just after a flare up with the California Delegation who undertook to teach him what he ought to do. By the hard swearing, the sotto voice, I heard when they came out, I judge not a few came away 'with fleas in their ears' -- 'Old Abe' is not to be trifled with. My reception was kind, if not cordial...The President was evidently interested in what I said, by his questions & remarks; & when done, requested me to give it in writing, and hand it to him. This I did, & left it with Judge Blair to hand to him...." Stabler concludes his letter with a amusing anecdote about the curious onlookers who had likewise been anticipating an audience with the President, and who seemed perplexed how Stabler had managed to gain influence with the President.

The letter to Lincoln referenced by Stabler is housed in the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress, and is recorded in Abraham Lincoln Papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833-1916: "Edward Stabler to Abraham Lincoln, Saturday, March 30, 1861 (Maryland office seeker; endorsed by Montgomery Blair)." Lincoln Day by Day: A Chronology, 1809-1865 (Miers, Earl Schenk, Vol. III, 1960, p.31) records the March 29th meeting with the California delegates, Stabler's meeting with Lincoln, and his follow-up letter to Lincoln: "...Discusses California appointments with Sen. Baker (Oreg.) and several California politicians. Baltimore Sun, Apr. 1. Interviews Edward Stabler of Maryland, Quaker and friend of F. P. Blair, Sr., relative to Maryland patronage. DLG RTL, Stabler to Lincoln, Mar. 30, 1861."

The Hallowell and Stabler families were Quakers mainly of Sandy Spring, Maryland. Edward Stabler was the postmaster of Sandy Spring, Maryland, a position he held for 53 years (1830-death). He taught himself the art of seal-making to supplement his income. Using a superior press of his own invention, he struck seals for the U. S. Senate, House of Representatives, Treasury, Post Office, Supreme Court, and many others (from Sandy Spring Museum website). James S. Hallowell was a Quaker and prominent educator who ran schools in both Maryland and Virginia. James moved to Virginia in 1840. On May 7, 1846 he married Margaret Stabler and they eventually had 6 children.