Lincoln took lively interest in psychic matters.
Abraham Lincoln had a strong interest in mediumship.
Lincoln said that he had "always had a strong tendency to mysticism."
Mediums claim to have influenced him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Part 2

PDF file of book at:
http://www.snu.org.uk/fre_book.htm

President Lincoln Meets Nettie Colburn (Maynard) at seance.

Medium's Message May Have
Moved Lincoln to End Slavery

by Kathlyne / Best Kept Psychic Secrets
http://www.omplace.com/articles/Lincoln_Medium.html

" Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
- Abraham Lincoln, Letter to H. L. Pierce (1859)

Did a message from the spirit world somehow change the course of history? Could the weighty words of a young medium long ago influence the direction of future events in American society?

It's common knowledge that Abraham Lincoln had a strong interest in mediumship. What is not a well-known fact, however, is the actual information relayed to him by a shy young girl.

No matter how hard you look, you won't find her channeled words regarding the emancipation of slaves in any grade school book. These words remain cloaked in the annals of "unmentionable history".

According to Colonel Simon F. Kase, a railroad lobbyist who had access to the top government echelon, America would never be the same after Lincoln's communication with the "other side".

Kase's book, The Emancipation Proclamation, How, and By Whom It was Given to President Lincoln in 1861 uncovers some eyebrow-raising details of spiritualist activity within the highest government circles.

Colonel Kase gives an up close and personal account of the insightful events that he feels shaped history. He explains that while waiting in the visitor's gallery of the House of Representatives an old woman handed him her card. She left him feeling somewhat bewildered by her parting message, "Call me when it suits you."

Kase recognized Judge Wattels standing nearby and quickly approached him given that he wanted to satisfy his curiosity. He asked the judge if he knew this woman. Wattels identified her as Mrs. Laurie and related, "Well sir, I have been to her house; she lives in Georgetown, and she has a daughter, now married to a Mr. Miller."

"She plays a piano with her eyes closed, and the piano rises up and beats the time on the floor as perfectly as the time is kept upon an instrument, and they call it Spiritualism."

Judge Wattels offered to accompany him to a séance' being held there that night. Of the events, the colonel wrote, "We went and arrived there about eight o'clock in the evening. Who would we meet there but president Lincoln and his lady".

They exchanged the courtesies of the day and chatted for about ten minutes. Kase then describes a young girl walking up to Lincoln with closed eyes giving him the following message:

"Sir, you have been called to the position that you now occupy for a very great purpose. The world is in universal bondage; it must be physically set free, that it may mentally rise to its affairs of this nation as well as a Congress at Washington. This Republic is leading the van of Republics throughout the world."

The teenage medium was Nettie Colburn. She continued to address Lincoln for over an hour on the significance of liberating the slaves. She argued that the Civil War would go on until slavery was abolished because "God destined all men to be free."

Nettie Colburn 1863

Colonel Kase described her words, "Her language was truly sublime, and full of arguments, grand in the extreme, that from the time his proclamation of freedom was issued, there would be no reverse to our army." Once the girl left her "altered state of consciousness" she was visibly frightened to discover she was speaking to the president and abruptly took leave.

The colonel tells of another visit to Mrs. Laurie's home. Again, the president and first lady were there. Lincoln was approached by the young medium once more and delivered another message referring to freeing the slaves.

There is also mention of Lincoln's interest in Spiritualism in Between Two Worlds: "Rumors were rife that in his spiritual quest Lincoln took lively interest in psychic matters".

An American medium J. B. Conklin was an invited guest at the Presidential Mansion every Sunday for a month. Lincoln issued the proclamation following these consecutive visits. Makes one wonder, did Lincoln have a "spirit" speech writer?

What should be pointed out is that at the onset of the Civil War President Lincoln had no intention of eliminating slavery. Was Lincoln convinced of this course of action by communication from the "other side"? Was he being commanded from a higher, all knowing leader?

It's interesting to note that the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862 to be put into effect on January 1863. During this time the strength of the rebellion was shattered. It appears that the medium's prediction was confirmed and the destiny of the nation was swayed.

Oahspe Bible reference to Nettie Maynard.

Lincoln’s former law partner, Joshua Speed, writes a note of introduction to the President for Nettie Colburn and friend Anna Cosby, October 26, 1863. (Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress—Search by Keyword: Enter “Speed” and “Colburn” as text)

***

Nettie Colburn stayed with the Lauries at their townhouse in Georgetown, where they lived in 1862-63. To that house, the Lincolns came one night for a séance.

***

One morning, early in February, we received a note from Mrs. Lincoln, saying she desired us to come over to Georgetown and bring some friends for a séance that evening, and wished the “young ladies” [i.e., including Nettie] to be present.

In the early part of the evening, before her arrival, my little messenger, or “familiar” spirit, [which] controlled me, declared that (the “long brave,” as she denominated him) Mr. Lincoln would also be there.

As Mrs. Lincoln had made no mention of his coming in her letter, we were surprised at the statement. Mr. Laurie rather questioned its accuracy; as he said it would be hardly advisable for President Lincoln to leave the White House to attend a spiritual séance anywhere; and that he did not consider it “good policy” to do so.

However, when the bell rang, Mr. Laurie, in honor of his expected guests, went to the door to receive them in person. His astonishment was great to find
Mr. Lincoln standing on the threshold, wrapped in his long cloak; and to hear his cordial “Good evening,” as he put out his hand and entered.

Mr. Laurie promptly exclaimed, “Welcome, Mr. Lincoln, to my humble roof; you were expected” (Mr. Laurie was one of the “old-school” gentlemen.”).
Mr. Lincoln stopped in the act of removing his cloak, and said, “Expected! Why, it is only five minutes since I knew that I was coming.”

He came down from a cabinet meeting as Mrs. Lincoln and her friends were about to enter the carriage, and asked them where they were going. She replied, “To Georgetown; to a circle.” He answered immediately, “Hold on a moment; I will go with you.”“Yes,” said Mrs. Lincoln, “and I was never so surprised in my life.” Mr. and Mrs. Laurie, with their daughter, Mrs. Miller, at his request, sang several fine old Scotch airs—among them, one that he declared a favorite, called “Bonnie Doon.”

Laurie House Georgetown Washington D. C.

I can see him now, as he sat in the old high-backed rocking-chair; one leg thrown over the arm; leaning back in utter weariness, with his eyes closed, listening to the low, strong, and clear yet plaintive notes, rendered as only the Scotch can sing their native melodies.

Mrs. Miller played upon the piano (a three-corner grand), and under her influence it “rose and fell,” keeping time to her touch in a perfectly regular manner.

Mr. Laurie suggested that, as an added “test” of the invisible power that moved the piano, Mrs. Miller (his daughter) should place her hand on the instrument, standing at arm’s length from it, to show that she was in no wise connected with its movement other than as agent.

Mr. Lincoln then placed his hand underneath the piano, at the end nearest Mrs. Miller, who placed her left hand upon his to demonstrate that neither strength nor pressure was used.

In this position the piano rose and fell a number of times at her bidding. At Mr. Laurie’s desire the President changed his position to another side, meeting with the same result.

The President, with a quaint smile, said, “I think we can hold down that instrument.” Whereupon he climbed upon it, sitting with his legs dangling over the side, as also did Mr. [Daniel E.] Somes, S[imon] P. Kase, and a soldier in the uniform of a major from the Army of the Potomac.

The piano, notwithstanding this enormous added weight, continued to rise and fall until the sitters were glad “to vacate the premises.”

We were convinced that there were no mechanical contrivances to produce the strange result, and Mr. Lincoln expressed himself perfectly satisfied that the motion was caused by some “invisible power”

— Nettie Colburn Maynard, Was Lincoln a Spiritualist? 82-91.
http://www.spirithistory.com/lincoln.html

In 1885, as descriptions of the Lincolns’ involvement with spiritualism were beginning to be published, the Lauries’ son, Jack, who was a boy during the Civil War, wrote a letter affirming the Lincolns’ visits to the Lauries’ Georgetown home.

Cyrus Poole included it in a larger article he wrote about Abraham Lincoln’s religious convictions. [Letter:]
My father, the late Cranston Laurie, was a well known and leading Spiritualist for many years prior to his death, all of which time he resided in or near the city of Washington, and was a clerk in the United States post office, holding the especial office of statistician.

My mother and sister were mediums. About the commencement of the year 1862, my father became personally acquainted with late President Abraham Lincoln, and my belief is that through my father’s influence, the President became interested in Spiritualism.

I have very often seen Mr. Lincoln at my father’s house engaged in attending circles for spiritual phenomena, and generally Mrs. Lincoln was with him.
President Lincoln with Nettie Colburn and Laurie's.

The practice of attending circles by Mr. Lincoln at my father’s house continued from early in 1862, to late in 1863, and during portions of the time such visits were very frequent. This was especially the case after the President’s son Willie died.

I remember well one evening when Nettie Colburn, a medium, was present, Mr. Lincoln seemed very deeply interested in the proceedings and asked a great many questions of the spirits.

I have on several occasions seen Mr. Lincoln at a circle at my father’s house, so much influenced, apparently by spiritual forces, that he became partially entranced, and I have heard him make remarks while in that condition, in which he spoke of his deceased son Willie, and said that he saw him.

I have on several occasions seen Mr. Lincoln take notes of what was said by mediums. At one circle, I remember that a heavy table was being raised and caused to dance about the room by what purported to be spirits. Mr Lincoln laughed heartily and said to my father, “Never mind, Cranston, if they break the table, I will give you a new one.”

On one occasion, I remember well of hearing my father ask Mr. Lincoln, if he believed the phenomena he had witnessed was caused by spirits, and Mr. Lincoln replied, that he did so believe.

This was on a Sunday evening late in 1862. I fix the time by the fact that I was injured the same evening by a runaway horse. In 1862, I was fifteen years of age. My father moved from Washington to a place in the country outside the city late in 1863.

J. C. Laurie.

Sword to and subscribed before me this 1st day of November, 1885.

Theodore Munger,
U.S. Commissioner.

— Cyrus Oliver Poole, “The Religious Convictions of Abraham Lincoln. A Study,” Religio-Philosophical Journal, November 28, 1885.

From: DCpages.com

Most historians believe that President Lincoln's interest in Spiritualism is from Mary Todd, Lincoln's wife. Yet there is evidence that his interest was independent and deeply rooted in his own sense of purpose and destiny.

In 1842, Lincoln confided to a friend that he had "always had a strong tendency to mysticism" and had often felt controlled "by some other power than my own will" which he felt came "from above".

The war took a terrible toll on President Lincoln, but there is no doubt that the most crippling blow he suffered in the White House was the death of his son, Willie, in 1862.

Lincoln and Mary grieved deeply over Willie’s death. Some historians have even called it the greatest blow he ever suffered. Even Confederate President Jefferson Davis expressed condolences over the boy’s death.

Lincoln began to attend séances in hopes that he would be able to contact his son. Lincoln met with several different mediums, some of which claim to have influenced him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Complete article: http://www.dcpages.com/Events/Holidays/Halloween/Abraham_Lincoln.shtml

First Spiritualist Church of Lansing
http://lansingspirit.com/famous.html

Famous people in Spiritualism

Colonel Simon F. Kase writes of his encounters in séance with Lincoln in a book entitled, “The Emancipation Proclamation, How, and By Whom It was Given to President Lincoln in 1861”.

When Kase arrived at the séance, he reports seeing President Lincoln and his lady there. A young teenage girl [Nettie Colburn later Maynard] approached the president with her eyes closed in trance.

She argued with the president that the Civil War would not end till slavery was abolished because God destined that all men be free. As soon as the girl came out of trance, she ran off frightened to think that she had been talking to the president.

Mrs. Miller, the daughter of the hostess Mrs. Laurie commenced playing the piano with her eyes closed. As she played, the piano raised off the floor as it was said to have done whenever the girl played it. Kase asked if he might sit on the piano to verify it leaving the ground.

The medium said, “yes, you and as many more as see proper may get on it.” Kase, Judge Wattels and two soldiers accompanying the president did so, as the piano still raised at least four inches off the ground. They all got off due to it not being an easy ride for them.

1863: THE PRESIDENT'S PSYCHIC by Joseph Trainor Editor.

Yesterday was Presidents Day here in the USA. And it follows closely on the heels of the birthday of one of our country's best known presidents. People overseas know him as the bearded fellow on the USA's five-dollar bill. Namely, Abraham Lincoln, who was president from March 1861 until his assassination in Washington D.C. in April 1865.

One of the most intriguing things about Lincoln was his pronounced interest in Spiritualism. After the death of his son Willie in 1862, Lincoln, "saw many mediums--Charles Colchester (also known as "Lord Colchester," who claimed to be the illegitimate son of a British viscount. -- J .T.), Lucy Hamilton, Charles Redmond -- but only one, Nettie Colburn Maynard, has left an account of these singular meetings."

Nettie Colburn was born in Connecticut, the daughter of Colonel Albert V. Colburn, an officer on the staff of Gen. George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac. The Colburn family was prominent in the Spiritualist movement in the New England states.

After her father and older brothers joined the U.S. Army following Lincoln's call for volunteers in the American Civil War (better known in "Mother Dixie" as the unsuccessful War for Southern Independence -- J .T.) Nettie came to Washington, D.C. with her cousin, Mrs. Parthenia Hannum, looking for work in the federal government.

An impressive array of witnesses backed Nettie's claim that she performed channelings for Lincoln. "The wife of former congressman Daniel E. Somes of Maine, a Lincoln intimate, affirmed them. Mrs. Elvira M. Dupuy, a Washington socialite, was another to support Mrs. (Nettie Colburn) Maynard's account. 'My husband,' she stated flatly, 'was a visitor to seances where Mr. Lincoln was present.'"

Mrs. Dupuy "herself attended a seance in 1862 at the home of a Mr. Laurie in Georgetown, with Mrs. (Mary Todd) Lincoln present and Miss Nettie Colburn the medium."

(Editor's Note: Today the Laurie House is the most haunted in Georgetown. It was built by Rev. James Laurie, who in 1803 constructed the Associated Reformed Church at the corner of H Street and New York Avenue in Washington, D.C. Originally it was a Scottish-Irish Presbyterian Church.

But in the 1850s, Mrs. Cranston Laurie became an ardent Spiritualist, and the church became a mecca for New Agers of the era. Lincoln himself attended this church on a sporadic basis during his presidency.)

According to Mrs. Dupuy, "At this (1862) seance, remarkable statements were made by Miss Colburn, which surprised Mrs. Lincoln to such a degree that she asked that a seance might be given to Mr. Lincoln."

Nettie Colburn's "first sitting at the White House, as she recalled, occurred shortly after she had met Mrs. Lincoln at the Lauries' in Georgetown. She was invited to the White House in December 1862 at eight one evening.

The meeting took place in the Red Parlor (now the Red Room -- J .T.) Lincoln came in soon after Nettie arrived. She was struck at once by his magnetic presence. The group formed the familiar circle of the seance, and she obediently went into trance."

"As she recovered consciousness, she sensed a suppressed excitement in the room. 'I shall never forget the scene around me when I regained consciousness,' she said, 'I was standing in front of Mr. Lincoln, and he was sitting back in his chair, with his arms folded upon his breast, looking intently at me.'"

"A distinguished looking man whom she did not recognize leaned forward and whispered in Lincoln's ear, 'Mr. President, did you notice anything peculiar in the method of address?'"

"As if shaking off a spell, Lincoln raised himself in his chair and glanced quickly at a full-length portrait of Daniel Webster (famous Senator from Massachusetts -- J .T.) that hung over a large piano. 'Yes,' he replied, 'And it is very singular, very.'"

"From the conversations," Nettie "was able to piece together what she had said in trance. It was very much what some imagined the late Senator from Massachusetts might have said.

She--or the spirit voice--had told the harassed President not to delay enforcement of the controversial Emancipation Proclamation beyond the new year." Lincoln "was told to stand firm 'and fearlessly perform the work and fulfill the mission for which he had been raised up by an overruling Providence.'"

(Editor's Note: Lincoln had first met Daniel Webster at a political meeting in Chicago in July 1847. Keynote speakers at this event were the newspaper publishers Horace A. Greeley and Thurlow P. Weed.)

"The next meeting, on February 5, 1863, was equally portentous. On an impulse, the President had accompanied Mrs. Lincoln to a seance at the Laurie house. Nobody--not Lincoln himself--knew he was coming until, filing out of a Cabinet meeting, he climbed into a carriage with Mrs. Lincoln. But Nettie had told the host to expect him."

Mary Lincoln

Later the same year, Nettie "was closeted with the President and two (Army) officers she had never seen before." (One was probably General Henry W. Halleck, Lincoln's Chief of Staff -- J .T.)

"Mrs. Lincoln had graciously welcomed her but had then drawn off to a corner with Congressman Somes. There was a specific reason for the privacy."

"'Mr. Lincoln quietly stated,'" Nettie wrote in her book, "'that he wished me to give them an opportunity to witness something of my rare gift.'"

"Promptly she put herself into trance. An hour later, when she regained consciousness, she was standing by a large map of the Southern States. 'In my hand was a lead pencil.'"

"To the military, the President said, 'It is astonishing how every line she had drawn conforms to the plan agreed upon.'"

"'Yes,' replied the older soldier (Halleck?), 'It is very astonishing.'"

"And then Lincoln bent over and whispered to Nettie, 'It is best not to mention this meeting.'"

Nettie's last meeting with Lincoln took place in late February 1865, just prior to his second inauguration. Her cousin, "Parnie" Hannum, was there as well. Nettie was planning to return to New England to care for her ailing father, the colonel.

(Editor's Comment: If ever you take a good magnifying glass to those old photos of Lincoln's second Inaugural Ball, a startling face will jump out at you -- the face of John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin. Amazingly, Booth was a guest at the Inaugural Ball the night of March 4, 1865.)

"'What they (her spirit guides) have predicted for you has come to pass,' she said, 'But they also reaffirm that the shadow they have spoken of still hangs over you.'"

"The President made an impatient gesture. 'Yes,' he said,"I Know. I have letters from all over the country from mediums warning me against some dreadful plot against my life. But I don't think the knife is made nor the bullet run that will reach it.'

And then a melancholy expression that she would always remember fell over his face, and he said, 'Well, Miss Nettie, I shall live till my work is done, and no earthly power can prevent it.'"

Nettie married one of her father's junior officers, Lieutenant William E. Maynard, and the couple moved to White Plains, New York, where she lived for the remainder of her life. In her old age, conscious of the illness that was sapping her life, she wrote an account of her meetings with Lincoln.

The book immediately touched off a controversy. Both Robert Lincoln, the late president's oldest son, and Lincoln's former law partner, William Herndon, flatly denied it. But Nettie had people to corroborate her account, particularly Mrs. Somes and Mrs. Dupuy.

Since then, a "smoking gun" has turned up--an 1862 letter, in Mary Todd Lincoln's own handwriting, recommending "Miss Nettie Colburn and Mrs. Parthenia Hannum for employment" at the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, D.C.

It appears that the full account of Abraham Lincoln's involvement with the paranormal has yet to be written. Meanwhile, I can think of two disturbing questions that ought to be pondered.

(1) Whatever happened to all of those letters Lincoln received from psychics, clairvoyants and assorted sensitives, warning of the "dreadful plot" against his life?

(2) Was the carnage of General Sherman's march through the South planned... in the Spirit World? (See the books The Door to the Future by Jess Stearn, Doubleday and Company, New York, N.Y., 1963, pages 131 to 135; Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters by Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, N.Y., 1972, pages 122 and 123; The President's Wife: Mary Todd Lincoln--A Biography by Ishbel Ross, G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, N.Y., 1973, pages 182 and 183; and Washington: City and Capital, American Guide Series, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1937, pages 490 and 491.) From the UFO Files...

UFO ROUNDUP: Copyright 2002 by Masinaigan Productions,
Volume 7
Number 8
February 19, 2002
Editor: Joseph Trainor

Mary attempted to stay in contact with her husband through private readings and seances. while living in Chicago, Mary went to seances under an assumed name. She liked to 'test' the mediums' skills. Once, on a trip to Boston, she attended a seance using the name "Mrs. Tundall" to avoid recognition. Mary Lincoln believed that she had made contact with her dead husband, sensing him laying his hands on her shoulders. Mary also visited the studio of William Mumler, a Boston engraver who claimed to photograph the dead. This photo (above) of Mary with the ghostly Lincoln was the result of her sitting with Mumler. This photograph gave Mary great comfort that Abraham was hovering over her. Mary Todd Lincoln remained in mourning for her husband and three of her sons until her death in 1882.

And finally in Nettie's own words taken from her book, Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?:

"Looking back over my life, it is a source of undying joy to recall the scenes where I have been the instrument in the hands of the spirit world to carry health to the sick and peace to the sorrowing, and to kindle the light of hope where reigned the darkness of despair."

"It brings me that peace that passeth understanding, to remember that by the aid of this precious gift I have brought comfort to the bedside of the dying, and more than once have stayed the suicidal hand; while many souls wandering in the paths of sinfulness have been reclaimed and brought back to a life of virtue and honour."

"It is also gratifying that the ties of friendship formed in many households, twenty-five or thirty years ago, are still unbroken."

"Let it be distinctly understood that no claim is made that all persons named in
connection with my mediumistic experiences in the White House at Washington, or elsewhere in the several circles of that city, were Spiritualists."

"I never asked, nor was told their views on the subject of Spiritualism. We met with consideration and kindness wherever invited, and were offered the same welcome and courteous attention extended to the other guests."

"It has frequently been stated that Mr. Lincoln was a Spiritualist. That question is left open for general judgement. I do know that he held communication with numerous mediums, both at the White House and as other places, and among his mediumistic friends were Charles Foster, Charles Colchester, Mrs. Lucy A. Hamilton, and Charles Redmond, who warned Mr. Lincoln of the danger that faced him before he made that famous trip between Philadelphia and Washington, on which occasion he donned the Scotch cap and cape; and which warning saved him from assassination."

"If he had not had faith in Spiritualism, he would not have connected himself with it, and would not have had any connections with it, especially in peculiarly dangerous times, while the fate of the nation was in peril. Again, had he declared an open belief in the subject, he would have been pronounced insane and probably incarcerated."

"A man does not usually follow or obey dictation in which he has no faith, and which does not contain information of active present value to him. This argument, together with his following of the spirit dictation which passed through me, goes a great way towards critical and correct judgement in this matter, especially when verification is at hand."

"It is also true that Mrs. Lincoln was more enthusiastic regarding the subject than her husband, and openly and avowedly professed herself connected with the new religion."

"It should be borne in mind that all my meetings with Mr. Lincoln were at periods of special import, and upon occasions when he was in need of aid and direction. After the “circle,” which he attended, he invariably left with a brighter and happier look, evidencing the benefit in part which he experienced from that which had been imparted to him."

Lincoln and Nettie

This is Nettie's description of her first meeting with President Lincoln:

"I was led forward and presented. He (Lincoln) stood before me, tall and kindly, with a smile on his face. Dropping his hand upon my head, he said, in a humorous tone, "So this is our little Nettie that we have heard so much about?"

"I could only smile and say, 'Yes, sir,' like any school girl; when he kindly led me to an ottoman. Sitting down in a chair, the ottoman at his feet, he began asking me questions in a kindly way about my mediumship; and I think he must have thought me stupid, as my answers were little beyond 'Yes' and 'No'."

"His manner, however, was genial and kind, and it was then suggested we form a circle. He said, "Well, how do you do it?' looking at me. Mr. Laurie came to the rescue, and said we had been accustomed to sit in a circle and join hands; but he did not think it would be necessary at this instance."

"While he was speaking, I lost all consciousness of my surroundings and passed under control. For more that an hour I was made to talk to him, and I learned from my friends afterward that it was upon matters that he seemed to fully understand, while they comprehended very little until that portion was reached that related to the forthcoming Emancipation Proclamation."

" He was charged with the utmost solemnity and force of manner not to abate the terms of its issue, and not to delay its enforcement as a law beyond the opening of the year; and he was assured that it was to be the crowning event of his administration and life; and that while he was counseled by strong parties to defer enforcement of it, hoping to supplant it by other measures and to delay action, he must in no wise heed such counsel, but stand firm to his convictions and fearlessly perform the work and fulfill the mission for which he had been raised up by an overruling Providence."

"Those present declared that they lost sight of the timid girl in the majesty of the utterance, the strength and force of the language, and the importance of that which was conveyed, and seemed to realize that some strong masculine spirit force was giving speech to almost divine commands."

"I shall never forget the scene around me when I regained consciousness. I was standing in front of Mr. Lincoln, and he was sitting back in his chair, with his arms folded upon his breast, looking intently at me."

"I stepped back, naturally confused at the situation... not remembering at once where I was; and glancing around the group, where perfect silence reigned. It took me a moment to remember my whereabouts."

"A gentleman present then said in a low voice, 'Mr. President, did you notice anything peculiar in the method of address?' Mr. Lincoln raised himself, as if shaking off his spell. He glanced quickly at the full length picture of Daniel Webster, that hung above the piano, and replied, 'Yes, and it is very singular, very!' with a marked emphasis."

"Mr. Somes said, 'Mr.President, would it be improper for me to inquire whether there has been any pressure brought to bear upon you to defer the enforcement of the Proclamation?' To which the President replied: 'Under these circumstances that question is perfectly proper, as we are all friends (smiling upon the company). It is taking all my nerve and strength to withstand such a pressure.'"

" At this point the gentlemen drew round him and spoke together in low tones, Mr. Lincoln saying least of all. At last he turned to me, and laying his hand upon my head, uttered these words in a manner that I shall never forget:"

"My child, you posses a very singular gift; but that it is a gift from God, I have no doubt. I thank you for coming here tonight. It is more important than perhaps anyone present can understand. I must leave you all now; but I hope I shall see you again.' He shook me kindly by the hand, bowed to the rest of the company, and was gone."

"We remained for an hour longer, talking with Mrs. Lincoln and her friends, then returned to Georgetown. Such was my first interview with Abraham Lincoln, and the memory of it is as clear and vivid as the evening on which it occurred."

Arthur Conan Doyle, who was a psychic researcher and the creator of Sherlock Holmes, said that this meeting between Lincoln and Nettie:

" was one of the most important events in the history of the United States. This spirit message strengthened the President in taking a difficult step to which he was not yet firmly committed." [Bold text mine. Pete]

THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863