Chapter 30: During the War, Lincoln Serves a Single Term in the U.S. House

1845-1849

As one of the few recognized Whigs in Illinois, Abe is chosen to serve in Congress in 1846. He is elected with 56% of the vote, and together with Mary, he moves to Washington.

While there he is an outspoken critic of the war, arguing in his “Spot Speech” that an American, not a Mexican, trespass started the fighting. For this claim he will later be accused by political opponents as lacking patriotism.

He also drafts, but never presents, a resolution for the federal government to free those enslaved in the District of Colombia.

But when his term is up, he leaves the capital feeling like he accomplished nothing and that his political career is over.