Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) to Roscoe Conkling
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02345 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 February 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : docket : envelope : free frank ; 20.5 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Replies to Conkling's letter criticizing the reputation of Caleb Lyon. Lincoln remarks that, "his nomination to some respectable office was repeatedly urged upon me certainly by two, if not three Senators of the highest standing; and your letter contains the first imputation I ever heard against his moral character."
Conkling was a Representative and Senator from New York. Lyon was also a Representative from New York and served as governor of the Idaho territory 1864-1865.
Executive Mansion,
Washington, February 19, 1864.
Hon. R. Conkling
My dear Sir
I have just received the letter of yourself and others in relation to Caleb Lyon. I understood he was once a Member of Congress; his nomination to some respectable office was repeatedly urged upon me certainly by two, if not three Senators of the highest standing; and your letter contains the first imputation I ever [struck: heared] heard against his moral character.
Yours very truly
A. Lincoln
[docket]
President Lincoln
Feb. 19 1864.
[envelope]
A. Lincoln
Hon. R. Conkling
Utica
N. Y.
[postmark stamp:]
WASHINGTON FREE / FEB 28
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.