(Melchizedek Communique, MC051811) Millard "Melchizedek" Fillmore blessed Abraham (Lincoln) in Buffalo, New York. (Background: "Millard Blesses Abraham", http://www.shout.net/~bigred/mc051711.html)

Millard Fillmore belonged to a trio of politicians who had arisen in the late 1820s consequent to the William Morgan scandal. Morgan, a Freemason, had signed a book contract in which he promised to reveal the inner secrets of Masonry. Before the book could be published, Morgan was mysteriously abducted and disappeared from the face of the earth. "No less an authority than John Quincy Adams, at one time President of the United States, claimed that Morgan had been murdered, and in a gruesome manner." Morgan had suffered the Masonic penalty of having his throat cut from ear to ear, his tongue plucked out by the roots, and burial "in the rough sands of the sea, a cable's length from shore, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours." [1]

"Out of subsequent anti-Masonic agitation in New York State, 'a brilliant group of young politicians arose and appeared, first in politics as anti-Masonic leaders.'" Among this group was the notable trio of William H. Seward (image shown), Thurlow Weed, and Millard Fillmore. Originally, Millard Fillmore had belonged to the Anti-Masonic Party, before he joined the Whig Party. Later, in 1856, Fillmore was the presidential candidate of the "Know Nothings." [1]

"A man could set his watch by the comings and goings of the Lincoln Special," writes Michael J. Kline in his revealing book, The Baltimore Plot. After having received the blessing of Millard Fillmore in Buffalo, New York, the Lincoln Train of Death headed eastward across New York State, destination Albany, New York. [2]

In a footnote to the biography of his friend and law partner, William H. Herndon offers this explanation for Lincoln's well-known bouts of melancholy: "The cause of this peculiar condition was a matter of frequent discussion among his [Lincoln's] friends. John T. Stuart said it was due to his abnormal digestion. His liver failed to work properly -- did not secrete bile -- and his bowels were equally as inactive." [3] During his White House years, Lincoln ate sparingly and often fasted.

But in Albany, New York, a torture of Lincoln's digestion awaited. At 2:25 pm, February 18, 1861, the train reached Albany. Three official dinners waited to be endured. Three factions of New York State politicos were doing a tug-of-war over the stomach of Old Abe. As was often the case, Lincoln made a "little joke": this time he shortened his customary speech and alluded to the "two or three courses through which I shall have to go" as an excuse for the brevity of his talk. [2]

But at least one person present that day in Albany was not smiling. John Wilkes Booth, member KGC (Knights of the Golden Circle), watched and waited. [2] (Further background: "Lincoln's Train of Death", http://www.shout.net/~bigred/mc051511.html)

By the next morning, after Lincoln's poor digestion had been pushed to the limit, the President-elect was "out of sorts." Mary Todd Lincoln and Abe were both glad to depart Albany and its political squabbles. Both Mary and Abe vowed to never, ever, again visit Albany, New York! [2]

------- Notes -------
[1] Redman, Brian. What Would Millard Do?. 2009. Published by Lulu.com
[2] Kline, Michael J. The Baltimore Plot. Yardley, PA: Westholme Publishing, LLC, 2008
[3] Herndon, William H. and Weik, Jesse William. Herndon's Lincoln. Originally published in 1888. Digital reproduction, 1999.