Several hundred persons and military escort witness Lincoln's departure by train at 5:45 A.M. Horace Greeley again on board. Stops made at New York towns of Batavia, Rochester, Clyde, Syracuse, Utica, Little Falls, Fonda, Amsterdam, and Schenectady. Illinois State Journal, 20 February 1861.

Mr. Bloomer, of Buffalo, "provides the party with dinner, a car being especially fitted up for that purpose." Cleveland Plain Dealer, 18 February 1861.

Gov. Edwin D. Morgan (N.Y.) details five members of staff to accompany Lincoln to Albany. N.Y. Times, 15 February 1861.

Lincoln is traveling in car used few months previously by Prince of Wales. Harper, Press, 85.

At Syracuse Lincoln disappoints crowd of 10,000 by speaking from train instead of from platform in front of Globe Hotel. Villard, Eve of '61, 90-91.

Acknowledges remarks of welcome by mayor of Utica. At Schenectady does not mount special platform in replying to introduction by Judge Platt Potter of Supreme Court. N.Y. Times, 19 February 1861.

Receives enthusiastic welcome upon arrival in Albany at 2:30 P.M. Exchanges short speeches on train platform with Mayor George H. Thatcher before entering open carriage for ride to state Capitol, where he receives, and replies to, welcome by governor and staff. Immediately afterwards addresses joint meeting of legislature: "It is true that while I hold myself without mock modesty, the humblest of all individuals that have ever been elevated to the Presidency, I have a more difficult task to perform than any one of them. . . . I still have confidence that the Almighty, the Maker of the Universe will . . . bring us through this as He has through all the other difficulties of our country." Villard, Eve of '61, 91-92; N.Y. Tribune, 19 February 1861; Address to the Legislature at Albany, New York, 18 February 1861, CW, 4:225-26.

Thurlow Weed interviews Lincoln at Delavan House where presidential party is staying. Rail Splitters, political club, present bouquet. Committee to escort him to New York calls. Lincoln receives committee from Troy, N.Y., and accepts invitation for next day to "spend just as much time with you as the train permits." N.Y. Herald, 19 February 1861; Abraham Lincoln to M. I. Townsend and Committee, 18 February 1861, CW, 4:227.

Lincoln and Morgan families have evening meal at governor's mansion. Lincoln returns to Delavan House for levee at 9 P.M. and greets individually about 1,000 persons; also visits levee held for ladies. N.Y. Herald, 19 February 1861.