Nott, Charles Cooper (1827-1916) to Cephas Brainerd
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04471.05 Author/Creator: Nott, Charles Cooper (1827-1916) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 March 1896 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 24.5 cm Order a Copy
Discusses a disagreement over which group was responsible for booking Abraham Lincoln to speak at the Cooper Institute on 27 February 1860. Lincoln was invited by the Young Men's Republican Union. States that Mr. Bowen had no influence over the decision and remarks that if Bowen was involved with Mr. Briggs and his young men (possibly referring to another branch of the Young Men's Republican Union), it is his own fault. Mentions that Brigg's group abandoned their plan to have the lecture in Brooklyn because they would lose money, so it was held at the Cooper Institute. Brigg's group still ran the ticket sales and therefore claims responsibility for the lecture. Profits were only $16 because it was a stormy night. Advises that if anyone challenges the issue, they can show the invitation sent to Lincoln from Nott as a member of the board of the New York Young Men's Republican Union as proof. Signed C.C.N.
Brainerd was also a board member of the New York Young Men's Republican Union at the time of the speech. Both Brainerd and Nott contributed historical and analytical notes to Lincoln's speech when published.
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