President Lincoln and Gen. Vallejo
President Lincoln in the early part of the Civil War called General Vallejo to Washington on business. While there General Vallejo suggested to Mr. Lincoln that the United States build a railroad into Mexico, believing as he said, it would be a benefit to both nations. Mr. Lincoln smilingly asked, “What good would it do for our people to go down to Mexico even if the railroads were built? They would all die of fever and according to your belief go down yonder,” with a motion of his hand towards the supposed location of the infernal regions. “I wouldn’t be very sorry about that,” remarked General Vallejo coolly. “How so?” said Mr. Lincoln. “I thought you liked the Yankees.” “So I do,” was the answer. “The Yankees are a wonderful people, wonderful. Wherever they go they make improvements. If they were to emigrate in large numbers to hell itself, they would somehow manage to change the climate.”