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As for the disrepancy between the two accounts, I would tend to believe Stephens' account (you will say "of course" - but you attribute much less objectiviity to me than my relative indifference to this issue gives me) because: Stephens was an honorable man, he was writing at most 5 years after the event, and he had little to gain by misrepresenting the story.

I certainly don't want to imply that Stephens was not an honorable man. However, you must admit that he does not go into details on the story. I don't believe he is trying to hide anything, I believe that he doesn't go into detail because the story is not germain to the topic at hand.

The other version would appear to have come out only 35 years after the event.

Henry Raymond died in 1869. The story, therefore, must have been written down before then, before Stephens's account even.

Moreover, even if we do suppose McClure recollection of Lincoln's words was accurate, I can easily imagine Lincoln realizing the damage that might result if his candid remark got out and changing the story to make himself look better.

What damage would that be? What possible backlash would Lincoln have faced? Backlash from blacks? You're applying 21st century political correctness to 19th century society. The only possible backlash would have been if it appeared Lincoln was unfeeling or uncaring about the problems of the white population.

I really had not wished to debate further over which version is the truth.

I didn't expect that you would. Well, it's been as enjoyable as always.