Many of the anecdotes in the foregoing pages touch upon Lincoln’s ambition to fit himself for a public speaker.  Even at this early day the settlers in New Salem were infected with the general desire to join in the march toward intellectual improvement.  To aid in this object, they had established a club entitled the New Salem Literary Society.  Before this association, the studious Lincoln was invited to speak.  Mr. R.B.  Rutledge, the brother of Anne Rutledge, says of the event:  “About the year 1832 or 1833, Mr. Lincoln made his first effort at public speaking.  A debating club, of which James Rutledge was president, was organized and held regular meetings.  As Lincoln arose to speak, his tall form towered above the little assembly.  Both hands were thrust down deep in the pockets of his pantaloons.  A perceptible smile at once lit up the faces of the audience, for all anticipated the relation of some humorous story.  But he opened up the discussion in splendid style, to the infinite astonishment of his friends.  As he warmed with his subject, his hands would forsake his pockets and enforce his ideas by awkward gestures, but would very soon seek their easy resting-places.  He pursued the question with reason and argument so pithy and forcible that all were amazed.  The president, after the meeting, remarked to his wife that there was more in Abe’s head than wit and fun; that he was already a fine speaker; that all he lacked was culture to enable him to reach the high destiny which he knew was in store for him.”

On the 7th of May, 1833, Lincoln was appointed postmaster at New Salem by President Jackson.  The duties of the position were light, there being only a weekly mail, and the remuneration was correspondingly small.  “The office was too insignificant to be considered politically, and it was given to the young man because everybody liked him, and because he was the only man willing to take it who could make out the returns.  He was exceedingly pleased with the appointment, because it gave him a chance to read every newspaper that was taken in the vicinity.  He had never been able to get half the newspapers he wanted, and the office gave him the prospect of a constant feast.  Not wishing to be tied to the office, as it yielded him no revenue that would reward him for the confinement, he made a post-office of his hat.  Whenever he went out, the letters were placed in his hat.  When an anxious looker for a letter met the postmaster he found also the post-office, and the public official, taking off his hat, looked over and delivered the mail wherever the public might find him.  He kept the office until it was discontinued, or was removed to Petersburg.”