Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, February 22, 1867

WASHINGTON, February 22, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—Enclosed is the account of Carpenter's Lincoln. I have the picture and will also have Marshall's, and will one of these days express them both to you. As one is framed, be careful in opening them.

I send you a rather curious phrenological estimate of the Congressmen on the Pacific Railroad excursion (Buck[land] and myself included) with portraits. It is curious as showing that Mr. [Samuel R.] Wells, who is a respectable person, and who professes to judge people on the principles of what he calls the sciences of phrenology and physiology, really gets his impressions just as you and I do, from their manners, conduct, and conversation. He is evidently not influenced a particle by temperament or head and features. He is singularly and laughably wrong in Buck's case. The only interest in the whole thing is that it shows the impression that a tolerably good observer gets on a short acquaintance with us.

We are getting on just right in politics here. The Commercial regrets my course one day, but the next day proved I was right.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

_______________

Francis Bicknell Carpenter's First Reading of the
Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 41