Mary, the family
In April 1864 a Democrat newspaper in Seneca County, New York reprinted some alleged investigative journalism by a New York City publication:
Treason at the White House.
The Tribune a few days ago asserted that Mrs. J. Todd White, a sister of Mrs. Lincoln, who lately went South by way of Fortress Monroe, had abused her pass and carried a large quantity of contraband goods through to the enemy. The World noticing the story, ventured to pronounce it, on its merits, a Tribune romance, but in its issue on Friday, after having investigated the matter, declares that the truth is even more damaging than appeared from the Tribune’s statement. The following are the somewhat startling facts vouched for by the World: –
Mrs. J. Todd White, a sister of Mrs. President Lincoln, was a rebel spy and sympathizer. When she passed into the confederacy a few days ago, by way of Fortress Monroe, she carried with her in her trunks all kinds of contraband goods, together with medicines, papers, letters, etc., which will be doubtless of the greatest assistance to those with whom she consorts.
When Gen. Butler wished to open her trunks, as the regulations of transit there prescribe, this woman showed him an autograph pass or order from President Lincoln enjoining upon the federal officers not to open any of her trunks, and not to subject the bearer of the pass, her packages, parcels or trunks to any inspection or annoyance. Mrs. White said to Gen. Butler, or the officers in charge there, in substance, as follows: “My trunks are filled with contraband, but I defy you to touch them. Here” (pushing it under their noses) “here is the positive order of your master!”
Mrs. White was thus allowed to pass without the inspection and annoyance so peremptorily forbidden by President Lincoln in an order written and signed by his own hand, and to-day the contents of his wife’s sister’s trunks are giving aid and comfort to the enemy – nor the least is the shock which these facts will give to the loyal hearts whose hopes and prayers and labors sustain the cause which is thus betrayed in the very White House.
Mr. Lincoln’s White House has confirmed that the president did issue a pass to Martha Todd White but states that the contraband rumors were exaggerations by political opponents, including the New York World. Mr. Lincoln was running for re-election in 1864.
Civil War historian Harold Holzer has written that the World also used racial fears to try to influence the 1864 election.
