Wmmm mWm BWfegwF) Up raw (SsSsi wIb^^s^^ HfiBVil tBEi ^mijHra^jt W^^|t|^^J| ^v^;;^':' S^HvE^a HKfS mESSmw HowSri $ SiSf H^H MffUfllH ffl§lfl33]B*8!tf§ft ■■■■ ■ BBS wMMm ■1 ■■ml llHHlliii ■ IlltJll : iiiisll HBPSPaS ■■■■■1 ■ I ■HI IwSB «GwW^9K9a^ mm Wmmmmm WmwUBUIBBSSm iiiil W$m Mmwrr HhHMKhuH^HhmhHmHBm HBv^HHHHH^HSi^hwwhI H Wffll l l lif W IlIB & LINCOLN ROOM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY MEMORIAL the Class of 1901 founded by HARLAN HOYT HORNER and HENRIETTA CALHOUN HORNER LETTERS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/lincolnlettershiOOIinc McLELLAN LINCOLN COLLECTION PUBLICATION I LINCOLN LETTERS HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED IN THE LIBRARY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY AND OTHER PROVIDENCE LIBRARIES PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY I927 Copyright 1927 By Brown University E. L. Freeman Company Printers and Publishers Providence, Rhode Island TO JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELLER, JR. IN COMMEMORATION OF THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS GRADUATION FROM BROWN UNIVERSITY 1897 - 1927 PREFACE Mr. Charles Woodberry McLellan began his Lincoln collection in the late '8o's though he did not begin to collect in earnest until 1900. His first Lincoln manuscript, a short note to the Secretary of State, dated July 19, 1 86 1, was acquired in June, 1901. The col- lection was given to Brown University in 1923 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The manuscripts then comprised 50 letters, 25 legal cases, 19 commissions signed in full, and 38 endorse- ments, notes, signatures, etc. These had been examined by Mr. Gilbert A. Tracy, and many were included in his volume "Uncollected letters of Abraham Lincoln". Some of them, probably obtained later, were not included in that book and are now published for the first time. In the appendix is given a list of the other Lincoln items in the collection: com- misions, signed in full, Abraham Lincoln, and legal cases in Lincoln's handwriting, also signed by him. [3] In the summer of 1926 there was offered for sale a remarkable collection of Lincoln telegrams. These were the original manu- scripts, nearly all written by Lincoln himself, of 485 letters sent to generals, governors, per- sonal friends and others, not by mail but over the telegraph wires. These manuscripts had apparently been saved by some one in the tele- graph office, when they were no longer needed for the official file, and carefully pasted into two large invoice books. These were added by Mr. Rockefeller and others to the McLellan collection, thus making it one of the world's greatest collections in its field. Among these letters were about one hun- dred not published by Nicolay and Hay in their, "Complete works of Abraham Lincoln", or in "The writings of Abraham Lincoln", edited by Arthur Brooks Lapsley. Miss Tar- bell, in examining the manuscript official war records in Washington, found a number of these telegrams not in either of the works mentioned, and published them in the appen- dix of her life of Lincoln. About twenty ap- pear never to have been published, and are here first made available for study. [4] In most cases the manuscript is in Lincoln's handwriting. Exceptions are noted as regards the letters here printed. Sometimes John Hay or another secretary wrote the letter and Lin- coln signed it. In some cases John Hay also wrote the signature, making it look so much like Lincoln's own handwriting that careful study is necessary to detect the difference. In the case of a telegram this was perfectly legiti- mate. In one case Lincoln wrote out the body of the letter and Stanton signed it. Of course the telegram as received at the farther end of the wire could not show this, and so without the manuscript the true authorship of the let- ter would never be known. The source used by Miss Tarbell and others, who had already published the greater part of the material in this collection, was the telegrams as received by the persons to whom they were sent, while those in the collection are the original manuscripts used by the tele- grapher at the sending office. A study of these originals reveals a surprising number of slight variations which throw a most interesting side light on exactly what was in Lincoln's mind when he wrote them. 5] In regard to the variations from the pub- lished form, it is to be expected that in send- ing a telegram punctuation and underlining of words would be omitted, and that is just what is found. In one case the published telegram gives the word "cannot". This Lincoln wrote much more emphatically, "can not". Again, compare the telegram to J. O. Broadhead, published by Nicolay and Hay in vol. 9, p. 34, with the following, underlined and punctuated as Lincoln wrote it: "The effect on political position, of McKee's arrest, will not be relieved any, by its not having been made with that purpose". Such variations while slight, make all the difference between Lincoln himself and a reflection of Lincoln. Another class of differences is found in variation of names. To cite a few; Lincoln writes Norton where the published letter gives Morton; Lincoln plainly writes McGuire, which is published McQuinn; Lincoln's Daines is given as Davis; Lincoln's Kietez is given as Keitez. It is not surprising that be- tween the telegrapher and the one who copied the telegram for publication these names should show variations, but that fact makes the origi- [6] nal documents the more valuable. In some ca- ses it may be that Lincoln had the name wrong and someone corrected it. Where this could be investigated it has not been found true, and Lincoln's careful and exact habits and clear handwriting lead to the inference that the mistake was not his. Sometimes the manuscript date varies from the one published. In cases where the pub- lished date is a day later it may mean that the telegram was not sent immediately or perhaps that Lincoln himself made a mistake. In the case of a telegram dated Feb. 6 in the book and Feb. 8 in the manuscript neither of these suppositions could have been true, as the tele- gram could not have been sent before it was written, and Lincoln could hardly have dated a letter two days ahead. This volume is the unpublished portion of the letters previously in the collection and of those added in 1926. It includes in an appen- dix letters from two neighboring institutions: the five Lincoln letters contained in the Ann- mary Brown Memorial, and one from the Rhode Island Historical Society; as well as the commissions and legal cases already referred to. [7] The portrait that forms the frontispiece to this volume was reproduced from the original negative in the collection. The photograph was taken in Gardner's Studio, Washington. John Hay, in his diary, under date of Aug. 9, 1863, wrote : "This being Sunday and a fine day I went down with the President to have his picture taken at Gardner's. He was in very good spirits." The notes that accompany the letters have been prepared by Miss Esther Cowles Cush- man, the assistant in charge of the Lincoln Collection. Harry Lyman Koopman, Librarian. [8] LETTERS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN LETTERS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN ENDORSEMENT Please examine the within, and return your answer to me. A. LINCOLN. Endorsement on back of a letter addressed to Hon. Abraham Lincoln Esq. Represt. in Congress, Washington City; dated: Springfield, Dec. 14, 1848. The letter is in regard to back pay as a soldier in the Mexican war. Lincoln is asked to obtain the pay due, and is given power of attorney to sign papers and receive the pay. The end of the letter with the signature has been cut off. [u] ENDORSEMENT New Lisbon, Nov. 17, '52 A. Lincoln, Esq. Dear Sir I should like very much to hear how you are get- ting along in the collection of the claim of Kelly vs. Blackleaf. Be pleased to let me know on the receipt of this. Yours &c A. L. Brewer. Endorsement By Lincoln . . . ning I commenced a suit in . . . with- in mentioned, for the October . . . the Logan Co. Circuit court & . . . term came, behold, the Sherriff had not served the process. I ordered an alias for the next April term. It was all I could do. A. LINCOLN. Someone, not knowing the value of the letter, has cut out a small square piece, taking some of Lin- coln's writing. This case ran on for a long time. In the collection is another letter from Mr. Brewer, dated Nov. 5, 1855, enquiring what decision has been reached, and answered by Lincoln on the same sheet, saying: "The court decided for us, and we got judgment for the amount of the old judgment and interest. . . " This is published in Uncollected letters of Abraham Lincoln, by Gilbert A, Tracy, p. 62. [12] LETTER TO. Springfield, III., July ioth, i860 Dear Sir Herewith I send you my autograph, which yoa desire. Yours truly A. LINCOLN. All except the signature is in the handwriting of a secretary. 1 13 NOTE TO GENERAL TOTTEN Executive Mansion, April 30, 1 86 1. The President will thank Gen. Totten for a brief interview with him here. This is in Lincoln's handwriting. Gen. Totten was a veteran of the Mexican War. Gen. Scott wished him to be his successor in the chief command of the army, but he felt himself too old for such a task. He remained at the head of the engineer bureau. [Hi LETTER TO H. F. COLBY Executive Mansion, Washington, August, 1861 My dear Sir A few days ago you wrote me asking me the President's autograph. Here it is. A. LINCOLN. Yours very truly John Hay. H. F. Colby, Esq. Newton Centre, Mass. This is all in John Hay's handwriting except Lin- coln's signature. 15] TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN Washington City, D. C. March 14, 1862 Major Genl. McClellan As Genl. Richardson takes Gen. Sumner's old Division, can he have an exchange of Brigades so as to take his old Brigade with him. Edwin M. Stanton. Sec. of War This telegram is entirely in Lincoln's handwrit- ing, except the signature. [16 LETTER TO CHARLES L. FLINT Executive Mansion, Washington, May 13, 1862 My dear Sir Allow me to thank you very cordially for the copy of your work on "Insects Injurious to Vegetation" which you have had the kind- ness to send me, and believe me Yours very sincerely A. LINCOLN. Charles L. Flint, Esq. In John Hay's handwriting except the signature 17] TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FREMONT Washington City, D. C. May 30, 1862, g}/2 P.M. Maj. Gen. Fremont Moorfield I send you a despatch just received from Gen. Saxton, at Harper's Ferry — (Here insert it at length) It seems the game is before you. Have sent a copy to Gen. McDowell. A. LINCOLN. This is one of two duplicate telegrams sent, with appropriate changes, to McDowell and Fremont. The one to McDowell, with the despatch here men- tioned printed in full, is published in Nicolay and Hay, Complete works of Abraham Lincoln, v. 7, p. 206. 18 TELEGRAM TO GOV. OLIVER P. MORTON Head Quarters Army of the Potomac, June 1 8, 1862 Gov. O. P. Morton Indianapolis, la. I suppose it will not vacate the office of Marshal, for the officer to command of a Regi- ment guarding prisoners at Camp Morton. A. LINCOLN. Governor Morton of Indiana was one of the greatest among the loyal war governors. [19] TELEGRAMS TO S. H. GAY Executive Mansion, Washington, August i, 1862 S. H. Gay, of Tribune, New York Your letter, and inclosure, received. Please come and see me at once; and, if pos- sible, bring your correspondent with you. A. LINCOLN. Washington, D. C, August 9, 1862 S. H. Gay, Esq. N. Y. Tribune When will you come? Will your corres- pondent come with you? A. LINCOLN. S. H. Gay was managing editor of the Tribune from 1862 to 1866. His services were of great value to the national cause throughout the Civil War. Henry Wilson calls him the man "who kept the 'Tribune* a war paper in spite of Greeley". [ 20 TELEGRAM TO WILLIAM HOFFMAN Washington, D. C. Aug. 12, 1862 Wm. Hoffman. Detroit, Michigan Have you charge of Confederate prisoners at Detroit? If so, is there a Dr. Joseph J. Williams amongst them? A. LINCOLN. Lincoln sent to two other places trying to locate this prisoner. The originals of the other telegrams are also in this collection. They are published in Nicolay and Hay, Complete works of Abraham Lincoln, v. 8, p. 10. in] TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR YATES Executive Mansion, Washington, August 25, 1862. Hon. R. Yates, Governor, Springfield, Ills. Yours denying that you have rejected the service of an officer sent you by us, is received. Of course I do not question your word; and yet what I said was based upon direct evidence; and I the more readily gave credit to it be- cause I had previously had so much trouble between officers sent to Illinois and the State government there. I certainly can not conceive what it was I said which can be construed as injustice to Illinois. I knew by your despatches that Ills, had raised an unexpectedly large number of troops, and my impatience was that none of them could be got forward. I supposed too, and know nothing to the contrary yet, that the government had made the same pro- vision for Illinois as for Pennsylvania and Indiana. A. LINCOLN. The occasion of this telegram and a supplemen- tary one, also in the collection, sent on Aug. 23, (pub- lished in "The writings of Abraham Lincoln'' edited by Lapsley, v. 6, p. 124) was the pressing need for some of the 300,000 troops called for in June. The other telegram ends: "Please do not ruin us on punc- tilio." Here Lincoln shows much less patience than usual with unnecessary dallying. [22] TELEGRAM TO JESSE 0. NORTON Executive Mansion, Washington, August 26, 1862 Hon. Jesse O. Norton Joliet, Ills. I can give you collector, but not assessor. Which will you have for collector Ellsworth, or Mcintosh? Answer at once. A. LINCOLN. At this time Jesse O. Norton was judge of the eleventh judicial district of Illinois. From 1863 to 1865 he was Republican representative in the 38th Congress. 23] ENDORSEMENT Submitted to the War Department. A. LINCOLN. Sept. 3, 1862 Referred to the Genl. in chief. Edwin M. Stanton, Sec. of War The first note is in Lincoln's handwriting, the second in Stanton's. The piece of paper containing these notes has been cut from a larger document. There is now no way of telling to what they refer. H\ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL DIX Washington City, D. C. January 31, 1863 Major Gen. Dix Fort-Monroe, Va. How has Corcoran's and Pryor's battle terminated? Have you any news through Rich- mond papers, or otherwise? A. LINCOLN. A form of this telegram has been published by Nicolay and Hay and others; but in each case the first two words and the question mark are omitted. From the second sentence Lincoln must have been trying to learn about the outcome of the battle and not stating that it had terminated. The teleg- rapher must have made a bad mistake, and the question is whether Gen. Dix understood Lincoln's meaning from the mutilated telegram. 25] ENDORSEMENT Would see Mr. Wright any time. A. LINCOLN. Feb. 13, 1863. Written on a piece of a used envelope, stamped "Willard's Hotel, Washington, D. C". 26] NOTE TO SENATOR WILSON Will Senator Wilson please call and see me. A. LINCOLN. Feb. 23, 1863 Written on a card. There were two senators by the name of Wilson at this time. [27] fY^&AT r^^^^t *Ca-^^> Apr* ? OY&l& /fan** ^l^c4^i^ ? fa&o Af~ fyy**- 0U4? f k^T ^r^&*» ^(X^TU^yC^^Of Oyi^T £& ? TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HURLBUT Cypher Executive Mansion, Washington, March 20, 1863 Major Gen. Hurlbut Memphis, Tenn. What news have you? What from Vicks- burg, What from Yazoo Pass? What from Lake Providence? What generally? A. LINCOLN. General Hurlbut was commanding the 16th corps under General Grant. At this time Grant was trying out various lines of attack on Vicksburg, none of which succeeded. 28 TELEGRAM TO S. JOHNSON SALESBURY Washington, D. C. May i, 1863 S. Johnson Salesbury Elgin, Illinois Yours of the 28th ult. about Postmaster at Elgin was received; and being upon a subject to which my attention had not been called, I refered the Despatch to the Post-Master General, since which I have not heard from it. A. LINCOLN. Prest. U. S. A. The phrase, "Prest. U. S. A." is not in Lincoln's handwriting. [29] NOTE TO SECRETARY OF WAR Hon. Sec. of War please see Mr. Diggs. A. LINCOLN. May 13, 1863 Written on a scrap of paper. 30 TELEGRAM TO HON E. D. MORGAN Washington, D. C. May 20, 1863 Hon. E. D. Morgan New York I presume the Commission of Hiatt has al- ready gone forward, as the Sec. of the Treas- ury told me day before yesterday he would send it forward. I wish the first time it is con- venient you would call on me, as I feel sure I can give you some views in regard to this case which you do not think of. A. LINCOLN. Hon. E. D. Morgan, as loyal governor of New York, had given the administration his hearty sup- port until he went out of office at the end of 1862, when the trouble maker, Seymour, took his place. 3 1 TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR SEYMOUR Washington, D. C. Aug. 7, 1863 His Excellency Gov. Seymour. Albany, N. Y. I send by first mail a letter, of which I now telegraph a copy. A. LINCOLN. The copy of the letter referred to, which was tele- graphed, is in this collection. The letter itself is pub- lished in Nicolay and Hay, Complete works of Abraham Lincoln, v. 9, p. 58. The telegraph copy of another letter to Gov. Seymour, dated Aug. 11, 1863, and published in Nicolay and Hay, v. 9, p. 69, is here also. As these copies which were sent by telegraph correspond word for word with the letters as published they are not repeated here. Both are dated just after the draft riots in New York City, and insist that New York must fill her quota without delay. [32] TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE Washington, D. C. Sept. 28, 8 A. M., 1863 Major General Burnside Knoxville, Tenn. You can perhaps communicate with Gen. Rosecrans more rapidly by sending telegrams to him at Chattanooga. Think of it. I send a like despatch to him. A. LINCOLN. The despatch to Gen. Rosecrans here mentioned, and also in this collection, is published in Nicolay and Hay, Complete works of Abraham Lincoln, v. 9, p. 142. The date is just before the battle of Chattanooga. 33] LETTER TO HON. WILLIAM SPRAGUE Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C. Oct. 31, 1863 Hon. William Sprague My dear Sir There is danger that the above act of con- gress, intended to exclude improper applicants from seats, will be used to exclude proper ones. I propose that Yourself, Senator An- thony and the Governor maturely consider the subject, and frame credentials for the mem- bers in two or three different forms, and bring them on with you to be used if needed. The form on the other half of this sheet will per- haps answer for one. Let it be done quietly, as publicity might increase the danger. The members themselves need not know of it. Yours truly A. LINCOLN. This is written on a sheet which has the act men- tioned printed at the top. It was approved Mar. 3, 1863. The other half of the sheet referred to is missing. William Sprague was governor of Rhode Island at the beginning of the war. In 1863 he was U. S. senator. Henry B. Anthony, the other senator, was elected in 1859 as a Union Republican, and through- out the war gave his support to the government. The governor referred to was James Y. Smith. [34] TELEGRAM TO GOV. BRADFORD Executive Mansion, Washington, Nov. 2, 1863 Gov. Bradford, Baltimore, Md. I revoke the first of the three propositions in Gen. Schenck's general order No. 53, not that it is wrong in principle, but because the Military, being of necessity exclusive judges, as to who shall be arrested, the provision is too liable to abuse. For the revoked part, I sub- stitute the following: That all Provost-Mar- shals, and other military officers do prevent all disturbance and violence at or about the polls, whether offered by such persons as above dis- cribed or by any other person or persons whom- soever. The other two propositions of the order, I allow to stand. My letter at length will reach you to-night. A. LINCOLN. The substitution is in the handwriting of John Hay, from the words "That all Provost" to "persons whomsoever". The rest was written by Lincoln. The "Letter at length" referred to is published in Lapsley, "The writings of Abraham Lincoln," v. 7, p. 12. General Schenck's order had to do with keep- ing order at the polls and provided an oath of loyalty to the United States for all voters. [35] C J ft • <-* 1 * ^ V 1 TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER Executive Mansion, Washington, Jan. 21, 1864 Major General Butler Fort Monroe, Va. Suspend until further order, the execution of James C. Grattan, of Co. F. 11th Penn. Cavalry, and send record of his case. A. LINCOLN. 3* TWO ENDORSEMENTS Let the two named within take the oath of Dec. 8, and be discharged. A LINCOLN. Jan. 22, 1864. Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8 & be discharged. A. LINCOLN. Jan. 22, 1864. The first is an endorsement on an envelope; the second an endorsement on a long letter from Thos. H. Moore in behalf of Caleb M. Parrish. The oath mentioned in these two notes is con- tained in Lincoln's proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction of Dec. 8, 1863. This proclamation was viewed as too liberal by many of the more vin- dictive members of Congress. [37] TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON Executive Mansion, Washington, Jan. 25, 1864 Gov. Johnson Nashville, Tenn. The oath in the proclamation may be ad- ministered by the Military Governor, the Military Commander of the Department, and by all persons designated by them for that purpose. Loyal as well as disloyal should take the oath, because it does not hurt them, clears all question as to their right to vote, and swells the aggregate number who take it, which is an important object. This is the President's reply to your questions of the 14th. I intend to start for Nashville in the morning. Will go directly through, stopping a few hours in Cincinnati, where a dispatch will reach me. Horace Maynard. Please send the above as public business. A. LINCOLN. This is in Lincoln's hand through the words "im- portant object". The rest down to the signature is by Horace Maynard. The note at the end is again in Lincoln's hand. A telegram to Horace Maynard in Nashville, dated Feb. 13, 1864, is in the collection. Horace Maynard was a member of the bar, prac- ticing at Knoxville, Tenn., a state congressman for six years and a vigorous advocate of the Federal cause throughout the war. [38] ENDORSEMENT TO ATTORNEY GENERAL RlJSSELLVILLE, Ky. 20 Jany. 1864 Hon. Henry Grider Dear Friend We the undersigned would be pleased if you would use your influence with The President of The United States and get him to pardon William M. Clark and James McCallen who are now indicted in The United States Court at Louisville, Ky., for Treason. These gentlemen served on a Committee Styled Safety Committee, While The So Called Con- federate Forces held this portion of our State. With Respect Jas. E. Wright G. T. Blakey, Sheriff L Co. H. Grider. Attorney General please make out par- dons in these cases. A. LINCOLN. Jan. 28, 1864 Mr. Grider has added his signature to the others, and Lincoln has endorsed it on the back. Henry Grider was Congressman from Kentucky. He is also found in another petition, dated Feb. 22, 1865, a g am requesting the exercise of executive clem- ency for a prisoner from his state. (See p. 49) 39 ENDORSEMENT Dear Mr. Lincoln Gen. Cameron, Mr. Johnson, Speaker of the Penna. House of Representatives, and myself, desire to Call on you, for a few minutes, this evening, on a matter of much interest to our State. Will you please say at what hour we may Call. Yours faithfully J. W. Forney. To the President. Jan. 28, 1864 Will see the gentlemen at 7 P.M. this evening. A. LINCOLN. Jan. 28, 1864. Mr. Forney, editor of the Philadelphia "Press", probably did as much as any one man in the country to strengthen the Republican party in its early his- tory and to prepare it for the struggle that was to follow. His paper "The Washington Daily Chronicle" enlisted every energy in the Union cause, and always supported Lincoln's administration. It was the official organ of the administration in Washington. 40 J ENDORSEMENT Washington, Feb. 20 To Larz Anderson; Cincinnati, Ohio. Will Fred and his friends be here this week? R. T. Lincoln. Let this go by Telegraph. A. LINCOLN. Feb. 20, 1864 The note and signature at the end are in Lincoln's handwriting. [41] TELEGRAM TO 0. M. HATCH "Cypher" Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. 23, 1864 Hon. O. M. Hatch Springfield, Ills. I would be very glad, but really I do not perceive how I can reconcile the difficulty you mention. Will try to write you soon. A. LINCOLN. [42] ENDORSEMENT This class of appointments I believe is made. A. LINCOLN. July 1 6, 1864. On a small piece of paper cut from a larger docu- ment. [43] ENDORSEMENT Let this be done. A. LINCOLN, July 27, 1864. On a small piece of paper, cut from a letter. [44] ENDORSEMENT (Telegram) Office U. S. Military Telegraph, War Department. The following Telegram received at Washington, 1.40 P.M. Sept. 22, 1864. From Harper's Ferry, Sept. 22, 1864. Col. Ingraham. Pro. Mar. Private Alfred G. Lawrence alias Wright was for- warded to B. Gen. Patrick P.M. Gen. A of P on the 19th Aug. I have forwarded papers containing en- dorsement etc. concerning him this day. A. D. Pratt. Pro. Mar. Endorsement on Back of Telegram I have said that if satisfactory evidence is brought to me, with this paper, that A. G. Lawrence, named within is non compos mentis, I will discharge him. A. LINCOLN. Sep. 23, 1864. General Patrick was Provost-Marshal-General of the Army of the Potomac, 1 863-1 865. [45] ENDORSEMENT Mr. President I am asked by the wife of H. P. Marley and his parents all residents of the county in which I reside to procure from the proper authorities a furlough which will enable him to visit his friends in Crawford County where he can be cared for without expense to the Government, at the same time be favored with an opportunity of visiting his family and friends at home. I am satisfied it is a proper case to make the re- quest in, and cheerfully do so. He is suffering from wounds (I believe) which render him unfit for duty — think he has been lately returned to our lines from Richmond prison. Will you endorse me to surgeon at Annapolis that I may refer it all to him. I am as ever. Yours Faithfully S. Newton Pettis. Endorsement on Back If consistent I would be glad for this to be done. A. LINCOLN. Nov. ii, 1864 [46] \ y ^ r- ^ ^ TELEGRAM TO MRS. LINCOLN Washington, Dec. 21, 1864 Mrs. A. Lincoln Continental Hotel Do not come on the night train. It is too cold. Come in the morning. A. LINCOLN. Please send above and oblige the President. John Hay, A. P. S. This is all in John Hay's handwriting. It was published by Nicolay and Hay under the date, Dec. 21, 1862. This seems to be a mistake as the last figure is not at all like the 2 just before it. 147 ENDORSEMENT TO ATTORNEY GENERAL Washington City, i Jan. 1865 To his Excellency Abraham Lincoln President of the United States. I beg leave to recommend Col. King S. Woolsey of Prescott, Arizona, as a Suitable person for United States Marshall of said Territory in place of Milton P. Duffield, the present incumbent who is unworthy of the office and ought to be removed. Your Very Obt. Sevt. Charles D. Paston. Endorsement on Back Attorney General please file and inform me at whose recommendation Duffield was appointed. A. LINCOLN. Jan. 12, 1865. [48] ENDORSEMENT We the undersigned members of Congress most respectfully request the President of the United States in the exercise of Executive Clemency to re- lease John H. Yancy 6 Ky. Rebel regt. citizen of Barren County Ky. now a prisoner of war at Hilton Head South Carolina who we are informed & believe desires to take the amnesty oath, respecty &c. H. Grider R. Mallory L. W. Powell. Endorsement at End Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged. A. LINCOLN. Feb. 22, 1865. 49 1 LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY Private. Executive Mansion, Washington, 7 March, 1865 To the Honorable The Secretary of the Navy. M. de Mareil who bears this, is the Edi- tor of the Messager-Franco-Americain, a French Newspaper published in the City of New York, which has sustained the Union cause during this war with great ability and energy. I hope that any advertising which can be legally and appropriately given to a journal of this class, may be given to M. Mareil. Yours truly A. LINCOLN. All except the signature is in the handwriting of John Hay. 50] ENDORSEMENT C. P. Johnson, Esq. Jefferson City, Mo. Dont let the Convention bill be pressed to a vote for some days after it comes up. I will write you at length. B. Gratz Brown. Private. Please send the above. A. LINCOLN. This, with no date, was originally mounted be- tween two telegrams to Gen. Schofield in St. Louis, dated Dec. n, and Dec. 13, 1863, respectively. At this time Mr. Brown was a member of the U. S. senate. He had been chief editor of the "Missouri Democrat", a journal of radical Republican prin- ciples. He assisted Gen. Lyon in breaking up the first secession movement in St. Louis, and was an ardent abolitionist. The note at the end is all in Lincoln's handwriting. [51 MEMORANDUM I have received five dollars from Deed of Macon, five from Lewis Keeling & five from Andrew Finley one half of which belongs to Stuart & has not been entered on our book. LINCOLN. This memorandum was sent to Mrs. Blackman by Mr. W. H. Herndon together with the leaf from Lincoln's copybook in this collection. Stuart was Lincoln's first law partner, from April 1837 to April 1 841. It has often been stated that the firm did not keep fee books, but this note is proof to the contrary. It also illustrates Lincoln's careful methods in keeping his partner's share of the fees correct. 5 2 The note on the opposite page was written on a piece of blotting paper %% x 4^ inches. The larger part is written in black pencil, the conclusion is in blue pencil, with the last line so rubbed that it cannot be deciphered. BLOTTER IN LINCOLN'S HANDWRITING The draft matter complained of by Gov. Fenton is this, that in giving credit for part calls one three-years man is counted equal to three one-year men, while on the pending call each man is to count one and only one, whether he went for one, two, or three years. The practical difficulty may be illustrated by the following supposed case. The towns of A & B, before any enlisted, had each ioo men. On the late call A gave sixty-six one year men, leaving only 34 at home, while B gave 33 three-years men, leaving 67 at home. On the pending call each owes 100 men, subject to its credit. But while A gets credit for 66, it owes 34, taking the last man in it; while B gets credit for 99, owes one, and has sixty-six left quietly at home. This ugly conjunction oc- curs in some sort accidentally some towns put- ting in one years men and others three years men, while attaching no consequence to the difference, but which now burthens the one class absolutely beyond their immediate power to bear. While the above is only a supposed case, I am told there are realities that are even stranger, when there are not men enough in the town to answer its quota. It gives no present relief that the one year men are to come home sooner than the three year men, as the for- mer . . . [53] Appendix I Lincoln letters from The Annmary Brown Memorial and The Rhode Island Historical Society, NOTE TO GENERAL McCLELLAN Gen. McClellan, please see Col. Hawkins who comes from Gen. Wool. A. LINCOLN. Dec. 6, 1861 This card, handed by President Lincoln to Colonel Rush C. Hawkins of the 9th New York Volunteers (the Hawkins Zouaves), marks an incident in Colonel Hawkins's attempt to secure the removal of General McClellan from the Command of the Union Army in 1 861. A complete narrative of the episode, before and behind the scenes, is recorded in a manuscript written by Colonel Hawkins entitled "A Mission to President Lincoln, " which is on file at The Annmary Brown Memorial. An account of McClellan's refusal to see his youthful visitor and inquisitor, and of Lin- coln's subsequent comments on the matter is to be found on pp. 18-20 of "General Hawkins as he re- vealed himself to his Librarian". By M. B. Still- well, Providence, 1923. This and the four letters following are from the Hawkins Collection in The Annmary Brown Me- morial. 55 LETTER TO GENERAL SETH WILLIAMS Executive Mansion, Jan. 8, 1862 Gen. Seth Williams My dear Sir Major Thomas Duncan, now on duty on the border of Mexico, is an Illinoisian, and I had some acquaintance with him when he was young. His wife, whose father resides in this city, is now here, and tells me you know her husband. She is very anxious, as in duty bound, for him to be promoted, but especially for him to be assigned to duty here. Please write me what you know of him as an officer; and, if you can, tell me whether he can be brought here. Yours truly A. LINCOLN. This and the letter following are examples of the continual calls for assistance made on Lincoln, to which he seldom refused his aid. [56 LETTER WITH ENVELOPE TO HIRAM BARNEY Executive Mansion, Washington, August i, 1863 Hon. Hiram Barney My dear Sir The bearer of this tells me he resides in your City, and has so resided for many years; that he has served for us in this war three months; that he has a son now a Colonel in the service under Gen. Corcoran, which son has served ever since the commencement of the war; that he also has a brother & a first cousin in the war. His name is Patrick Mur- phy, and he now seeks employment in the Custom House. I shall be glad if you can find it for him. Yours truly A. LINCOLN. The envelope is addressed to Hon. Hiram Bar- ney, New York. Lincoln's signature is in the upper right corner. On the back is sealing wax showing the impression of the Presidential seal, an American eagle with the words "Seal of the President of the United States" 57 LETTER TO MISS STEELE Executive Mansion, Washington, April n, 1864 My dear Miss Steele I cannot refuse you so slight a favor for so good a purpose. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN. The Memorial has another letter to Miss Steele, written by Hannibal Hamlin, and dated two days after this. He mentions the work of the United States Sanitary Commission, and probably that is the good purpose to which Lincoln refers. [58] ENDORSEMENT House of Representatives Washington City, May 5, 1864 His Excellency The President Dear Sir I desire to introduce to your favorable notice H. Millard, late Lieut, in the Regular Army. He served in the Army of the Cumberland for nearly two years, was for one year of that time on Gen. Rosecrans' staff. He was wounded at the battle of Chicamauga and resigned in consequence of that and serious illness he resigned. He was a very gallant and reliable officer and is fully worthy of the confidence of the govern- ment. He is the author of several patriotic national airs and is a man of fine ability. I hope it may be in your power to give him some place of your gift. Very Respecty Your obt J. A. Garfield Endorsement by Lincoln Hon. Hiram Barney My dear Sir The bearer, Lt. Millard, wishes to apply to you for some place in the Custom-House; and while I do not personally know much of him, the within, & other vouchers leave no doubt in my mind that he is entirely worthy, & I shall be really pleased if you can find a place for him. A. LINCOLN. May 9, 1864 [59] LETTER TO CHARLES C. HOSKINS Executive Mansion, Aug. 2, 1861 My dear Young Friend It gives me great pleasure to send you my autograph which you have done me the honor to request through Mr. Hay. Yours truly A. LINCOLN. Charles C. Hoskins This letter is owned by the Rhode Island His- torical Society. 60 Appendix II List of Legal Papers in Lincoln's Handwriting and Commissions Signed in Full in the McLellan Collection Legal Papers in Lincoln's Handwriting i 838 ( ?) — Atwood and Jones vs. Douglas and Wright. In Lincoln's hand throughout, signed: Stuart and Lincoln four times. 1839, July — Charles R. Hurst, vs. Smith and Tag- gart. All in Lincoln's handwriting, signed : Stuart & Lincoln p. q. Filed June 22, 1839. 1 840, Feb. 16 — John W. Tydings & James H. Wed- ney vs. Wesley Hathaway & Samuel N. Fullin- wider. Security for costs. All in Lincoln's hand- writing, signed: A. Lincoln. 1 840, July — James R. Gray vs. Thomas Lasswell. All in Lincoln's handwriting, signed: Stuart & Lincoln. 1841, March — James R. Gray ads. John D. Urqu- hart. All in Lincoln's handwriting, signed: Logan & Lincoln p. d. Filed March 22, 1841. 1841, Mar. 29 — Sarah Brown. Notice to Sangamon circuit court all in Lincoln's handwriting, signed: Sarah Brown, guardian &c. \ 842, July 1 2 — John L. Blaine, William Tompkins, & William D. Banet vs. James E. Allen & Eli C. Blankinship. All in Lincoln's handwriting. Se- curity for costs. Signed: A. Lincoln. 1843, Aug. 3° — J oe l Johnson vs. James M. Strode; appeal. All in Lincoln's handwriting, signed: A. Lincoln. [62] 1843? Nov. 15 — Robert Allen, impleaded with John Taylor & Richard F. Barret ads. Elijah Taylor. Mostly in Lincoln's handwriting. Signed: Logan & Lincoln p. d. Filed Nov. 15, 1843. 1 844, March — The county of Menard ads. Lesure & Bliss. All in Lincoln's handwriting. Signed twice: Logan & Lincoln p. d. Filed Mar. 20, 1844. 1845, July — Jonathan Miller & Susan Miller ads. William Beaty & Martha Ann Beaty; Case, in slander. Partly written by Lincoln partly by Herndon. Signed: Lincoln & Herndon p. d. by Lincoln three times, by Herndon once. Filed July 30, 1845. 1 847, Apr. — Thornton Walker vs. Mahlon Powell & Lewis Livingston. All in Lincoln's handwriting. Signed: Lincoln, for plffs. Holland per defts. Filed April 12, 1847. 1851, May 9 — David A. Smith, and George A. Dunlap, as assignees of the Bank of Illinois, Plaintiffs, vs. James Dunlap, Deft. Mostly in Lincoln's handwriting, not signed. Signature, Lincoln & Herndon p. q. pasted on. 1853, June — Replication of John B. Blackford, Lar- kin Williams and Isaac Mitchell. All in Lin- coln's handwriting, signed: Lincoln & Herndon for complainant. Filed June 22, 1853. 1 855, Apr. — Thomas Lewis, use etc. vs. Leniza Daw- son and Morgan Mace. All in Lincoln's hand- writing, signed: Lincoln & Herndon. Filed April 21, 1855. 1855, Aug. — Henry Doyle and others vs. Thomas Lewis and others. In Lincoln's handwriting, signed: S. T. Logan, A. Lincoln. Filed Aug. 6, 1855. [63] 1855 — Stigleman, Johnson & Guild vs. Manning A. Bruce. Sheriff sale Sept. 5, 1855. All in Lin- coln's handwriting, not signed. 1856(F) — Henri Hagemenn ads. Thomas Lewis, in petition & summons. All in Lincoln's handwrit- ing, signed three times: McWilliams & Lincoln P .d. 1856(F) — The McLean County Bank vs. The City of Bloomington. Brief. All in Lincoln's handwrit- ing, not signed. 1858 (F) — S. C. Davis &c vs. Lowry & Randall. Judgment January 8, 1858. All in Lincoln's handwriting, not signed. Warrants Signed in Full 1862. April 10. Warrant for seal of the United States on a proclamation. Signed in full, Abraham Lincoln. 1864. Sept. 30. Warrant for seal of the United States on a pardon of Peter A. Bleyler. Signed: Abraham Lincoln. Commissions Signed in Full May 31, 1 861 — Lewis Merriam appointed Deputy Postmaster at Greenfield, Mass. Signed: Abra- ham Lincoln, William H. Seward. June 19, 1 861 — James E. Vinton, of Wisconsin, ap- pointed Consul at Halifax, N. S. Signed: Abra- ham Lincoln, Wiliam H. Seward. July 16, 1 861 — Lewis Merriam appointed Deputy Postmaster at Greenfield, Mass. Signed: Abra- ham Lincoln, William H. Seward. 64] July 16, 1861 — Henry A. Greene appointed Deputy Postmaster at Jersey City, N. J. Signed: Abra- ham Lincoln, William H. Seward. Aug. 8, 1 86 1 — John A. Lydell appointed Brigade Surgeon of Volunteers. Signed: Abraham Lin- coln, Thomas A. Scott. Aug. 10, 1 86 1 — Thomas McCunn of New York ap- pointed Consul at Londonderry. Signed: Abra- ham Lincoln, William H. Seward. Sept. 9, 1 861 — Franklin H. Barroll appointed Sec- ond Lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Infan- try. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Simon Cameron. Oct. 16, 1861 — Edward D. Hobbs appointed an agent under the act . . . transporting and de- livering arms ... to the loyal citizens. . . . Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Thomas A. Scott. Dec. 26, 1 861 — George Rex appointed Brigade Sur- geon of Volunteers. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Simon Cameron. Apr. 29, 1862 — John H. Moore appointed Assistant Quartermaster of volunteers with the rank of Captain. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Edwin M. Stanton. July 26, 1862 — Speed Butler appointed Additional Aide-de-Camp with rank of Colonel. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Edwin M. Stanton. Nov. 28, 1862 — Lockwood L. Doty, of New York appointed Consul at Nassau, New Providence. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, W'illiam H. Seward. Feb. 21, 1863 — Paul Shirley appointed Lieutenant Commander in the Navy on the Active List. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Gideon W r elles. [65] Mar. 4, 1863 — Duncan S. Walker appointed Assist- ant Adjutant General of Volunteers with the rank of Captain. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Edwin M. Stanton. Feb. 23, 1864 — Albert Rhodes, of Pennsylvania, ap- pointed Consul at Jerusalem. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, William H. Seward. July 11, 1864 — Richard Burgess appointed a Justice of the Peace in Washington, D. C. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, William H. Seward. Oct. 8, 1864 — Travers Kieckoefer appointed Vice Consul of Brazil at Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, Wil- liam H. Seward. Nov. 21, 1864 — Leonard B. Brownson given permis- sion to depart from New Bedford on a whaling voyage, in the bark Spartan. Signed: Abraham Lincoln, William H. Seward. Mar. 7, 1865 — Mrs. Charlotte Hough given per- mission to sell cotton. Signed: Abraham Lin- coln. [66 INDEX Advertising 50 Anderson, Larz 41 Annmary Brown Memorial 55-59 Anthony, Henry Bowen, U. S. Senator .... 34 Barney, Hiram, Collector, of New York . . 57, 59 Barroll, Franklin H 65 Blackman, Mrs 52 Blakey, G. T 39 Bradford, Augustus Williamson, Governor of Maryland 35 Brown, Benjamin Gratz, U. S. Senator .... 51 Brownson, Leonard 66 Burgess, Richard 66 Burnside, Ambrose Everett, Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols. ^ Butler, Benjamin Franklin, Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols. 36 Butler, Speed 65 Cameron, Robert Alexander, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols 40 Civil Affairs .... 19,23,29,34,35,40,48,57-59 Clark, William M 39 Colby, H. F 15 Commissions 64-66 Corcoran, Michael, Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols. . . 25, 57 [68] Diggs, Mr 30 Dix, John Adams, Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols. ... 25 Doty, Lockwood L 65 Draft 32, 53 Duffield, Milton P 48 Duncan, Thomas 56 Elgin, 111 29 Ellsworth, Mr 23 Finley, Andrew 52 Flint, Charles Louis 17 Forney, John Wien, Ed. of Philadelphia Press . 40 Fremont, John Charles, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. . . 18 Garfield, James Abram, Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols. . 59 Gay, Sidney Howard, Editor of New York Tribune 20 Grant, Ulysses Simpson, Gen. and Gen. in Chief U. S. A 28 Grattan, James C 36 Greeley, Horace, Editor of New York Tribune . 20 Greene, Henry A 65 Grider, Henry, M. C 39, 49 Hamlin, Hannibal, Vice Pres. U. S 58 Hatch, O. M 42 Hawkins, Rush Christopher, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols 55 Hay, John 15,17,47,50 Herndon, William Henry, Lawyer 52 Hiatt, Mr 31 Hobbs, Edward D 65 Hoffman, William 21 [69] Hoskins, Charles C 60 Hurlbut, Stephen Augustus, Maj . Gen. U. S. Vols. 28 Ingraham, Col 45 Johnson, Andrew, Governor of Tennessee ... 38 Johnson, C. P 51 Johnson, Henry C. Speaker Penn. House of Rep. 40 Keeling, Lewis 52 Kelly vs. Blackleaf 12 Kieckoefer, Travers 66 Lake Providence 28 Lawrence, Alfred G 45 Legal Papers 62-64 Lincoln, Abraham, President of the United States As a lawyer 52 As Representative in Congress .... 11 Autograph on request . . . . 13,15,60 Lincoln, Mrs. Mary Todd 47 Lincoln, Robert Todd 41 Lydell, John A 65 McCallen, James 39 McClellan, George Brinton, Maj. Gen. and Gen. in Chief, U. S. A 1 6>55 McCunn, Thomas 65 McDowell, Irvin, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. A. . . 18 Mcintosh, Mr 23 Mallory, R 49 Mareil, M. de 50 Marley, H. P 46 [70] Maynard, Horace, M. C 38 Merriam, Lewis 64 Military affairs . . 16, 18, 22, 25, 28, 32, 33, 55, 56 Millard, H 59 Moore, John H 65 Moore, Thomas H 37 Morgan, Edwin Dennison, Governor of New York 3 1 Morton, Oliver Perry, Governor of Indiana . . 19 Murphy, Patrick 57 Norton, Jesse 23 Parrish, Caleb M 37 Paston, Charles D 48 Patrick, Marsena Rudolph, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U.S. Vols 45 Pettis, S. Newton, M. C 46 Powell, L. W 49 Prisoners Confederate 21 Execution suspended . 36 Pardons 37>39>45>49 Pryor, Roger Atkinson, Brig. Gen. C. S. A. . . 25 Reconstruction 37j 3^> 5 1 Rex, George 65 Rhode Island Historical Society 60 Rhodes, Albert 66 Richardson, Israel Bush, Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols. . 16 Rosecrans, William Starke, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. A 33 Salesbury, S. Johnson 29 [71] Saxton, Rufus, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols. . . 18 Schenck, Robert Cumming, Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols. 35 Seymour, Horatio, Governor of New York . . 32 Shirley, Paul 65 Smith, James Youngs, Governor of Rhode Island 34 Spartan, ship 66 Sprague, William, Governor of Rhode Island and U. S. Senator 34 Stanton, Edwin McM asters, Secretary of War 16, 24 Steele, Miss 58 Stuart, John Todd, M. C 52 Sumner, Edwin Vose, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. A. . 16 Totten, Joseph Gilbert, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. A. 14 United States Sanitary Commission 58 Vicksburg 28 Vinton, James E 64 Walker, Duncan H 66 Warrants 64 Washington Daily Chronicle 40 Williams, Dr. Joseph J 21 Williams, Seth, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. A. ... 56 Wilson, Henry, U. S. Senator 20, 27 Woolsey, King S 48 Wright, James E 39 W r right, Mr 26 Yancy, John H 49 Yates, Richard, Governor of Illinois 22 Yazoo Pass 28 [72] 11111 IfflHIliBHI , HP9HHb nmHHL Wmmm mam ^Ot m^n 1 ••.■: v.; • mm ■BEl HHHHHh SSa BHBBHII MmEBmA ]&$&M- : ■ : : . ML ■ |HH BjgBflBlBH PHWBM ^mmWM 9mhH MP8HH 1111