Hampden to D.C. – an Odyssey?

Vice President Elect: mistakes Windsor Locks for New York?

Windsor Locks, Connecticut: “Hannibal Hamlin (Presumably) Slept Here!”

Lincoln and his entourage are greeting the throngs of people who are welcoming him at every stop. Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln’s Vice President has to get to Washington, too.

From The New-York Times February 19, 1861:

PROGRESS OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT TOWARDS WASHINGTON.

BANGOR, Me., Monday, Feb. 18.

Vice-President HAMLIN and lady left here this morning on route for Washington. He will arrive at Boston this evening, and leave for the West to-morrow morning. He was escorted from Hampden to our city by a large-number of his fellow-townsmen, and was received here by the Mayor and Ex-Mayors of this city, and an immense procession of citizens, in single and double sleighs, escorted the party to the Railroad station. Notwithstanding the early hour this morning, Mr. HAMLIN was received with enthusiastic cheers and the warm greetings and affectionate farewell of thousands of his fellow-citizens. In reply to a brief address by C.S. CROSBY, Esq., Mr. HAMLIN made a few remarks, and as the train was starting, in the course of his remarks, he said:

“I go to the discharge of the official duties which have been conferred upon me by a generous people, and relying upon Divine Providence, I trust, that confidence shall never be betrayed. I know full well that dark clouds are lowering around the political horizon, and that madness rules the hour, but I am hopeful still that our people are not only loyal to the Government, but that they are fraternal to all its citizens. And when in practice it shall be demonstrated that the Constitutional rights of all the States will be respected and maintained by following the paths illumined by WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON and MADISON may we not reasonably hope and expect that quiet will be restored, and the whole country will still advance in a career which will elevate man in a social, moral and intellectual condition.”

First night's stay on trip to Washington, D.C.

BOSTON, Monday, Feb. 18.

Hon. HANNIBAL HAMLIN, with Mrs. HAMLIN, arrived here by the eastern cars this evening, at 7:30. But few people were at the depot. They at once proceeded to the Revere House, where they remain tonight. Mr. HAMLIN will leave for New York, via Worcester, to-morrow, at 8:30 A.M.

The next day: The New-York Times February 20, 1861:

MOVEMENTS OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Hon. HANNIBAL HAMLIN, the Vice-President elect, left Boston yesterday morning, and was expected to arrive in this City on the 4 1/2 P.M. train, but for some reason, not yet explained, he got off the train at a place called Windsor Locks, between Springfield and Hartford, where he will stop until the arrival of the Boston express-train to-day, when he will continue his journey to New York, arriving here at 4 3/4 o’clock. A Committee, representing the City Wide-Awakes and the Rocky Mountain Club of Kings County, were in waiting at the New-Haven Railroad depot yesterday to escort Mr. HAMLIN to the Astor House, but on the arrival of the train, they were informed, much to their disappointment, that the Vice-President elect was not on board.

Windsor Locks Canal Co. on the Enfield Canal: Vice-Presidential inspection, ...siren song?

Astor House: Where is Mr. Hamlin? (photo 1905)

The people of Hampden and Bangor see off their native son with a large procession of sleighs through the Maine snow to the railroad station. When the Hamlins get to Boston almost no one is there to greet them. Not to worry. The New York City Wide-awakes will welcome them to Manhattan – -as long as the Hamlins catch the next Express through Windsor Locks.

Hannibal Hamlin was originally a Democrat. He was a prominent opponent of slavery. In 1861 he joined the Republican party.

Bangor, Maine “was a center of anti-slavery politics in the years before the American Civil War, partly due to the influence of the Bangor Theological Seminary.”