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Washington till the result of that ceremony is known。



It certainly would be of some advantage if you could know who are to

be at the heads of the War and Navy departments; but until I can

ascertain definitely whether I can get any suitable men from the

South; and who; and how many; I can not well decide。  As yet; I have

no word from Mr。 Gilmer in answer to my request for an interview with

him。  I look for something on the subject; through you; before long。

Yours very truly;

A。 LINCOLN。









TO W。 H。 SEWARD。

(Private。)

SPRINGFIELD; ILL。; January 12; 1861



HON。 W。 H。 SEWARD。



MY DEAR SIR:Yours of the 8th received。  I still hope Mr。 Gilmer

will; on a fair understanding with us; consent to take a place in the

Cabinet。  The preference for him over Mr。 Hunt or Mr。 Gentry is that;

up to datehe has a living position in the South; while they have

not。  He is only better than Winter Davis in that he is farther

south。   I fear; if we could get; we could not safely take more than

one such manthat is; not more than one who opposed us in the

electionthe danger being to lose the confidence of our own friends。

Your selection for the State Department having become public; I am

happy to find scarcely any objection to it。  I shall have trouble

with every other Northern Cabinet appointmentso much so that I

shall have to defer them as long as possible to avoid being teased

into insanity; to make changes。



Your obedient servant;



A。 LINCOLN









TO E。 D。 MORGAN



SPRINGFIELD; ILL。 FEB。 4; 1861



SIR:Your letter of the 30th ult。 inviting me; on behalf of the

Legislature of New York; to pass through that State on my way to

Washington; and tendering me the hospitalities of her authorities and

people; has been duly received。  With the feelings of deep gratitude

to you and them for this testimonial of regard and esteem I beg you

to notify them that I accept the invitation so kindly tendered。



Your obedient servant;



A。 LINCOLN



P。S。Please let the ceremonies be only such as to take the least

time possible。          A。 L。









PATRONAGE CLAIMS



TO THURLOW WEED



SPRINGFIELD; ILL。; February 4; 1861



DEAR SIR:I have both your letter to myself and that to Judge Davis;

in relation to a certain gentleman in your State claiming to dispense

patronage in my name; and also to be authorized to use my name to

advance the chances of Mr。 Greeley for an election to the United

States Senate。



It is very strange that such things should be said by any one。  The

gentleman you mention did speak to me of Mr。 Greeley in connection

with the senatorial election; and I replied in terms of kindness

toward Mr。 Greeley; which I really feel; but always with an expressed

protest that my name must not be used in the senatorial election in

favor of or against any one。  Any other representation of me is a

misrepresentation。



As to the matter of dispensing patronage; it perhaps will surprise

you to learn that I have information that you claim to have my

authority to arrange that matter in New York。  I do not believe you

have so claimed; but still so some men say。  On that subject you know

all I have said to you is 〃justice to all;〃 and I have said nothing

more particular to any one。  I say this to reassure you that I have

not changed my position。



In the hope; however; that you will not use my name in the matter; I

am;



Yours truly;



A。 LINCOLN。









FAREWELL ADDRESS AT SPRINGFIELD; ILLINOIS;

FEBRUARY 11; 1861



MY FRIENDS:One who has never been placed in a like position cannot

understand my feelings at this hour; nor the oppressive sadness I

feel at this parting。  For more than twenty…five years I have lived

among you; and during all that time I have received nothing but

kindness at your hands。  Here the most cherished ties of earth were

assumed。  Here my children were born; and here one of them lies

buried。  To you; my friends; I owe all that I have; all that I am。

All the strange checkered past seems to crowd upon my mind。  To…day I

leave you。  I go to assume a task more difficult than that which

devolved upon General Washington。  Unless the great God who assisted

him shall be with and aid me I cannot prevail; but if the same

almighty arm that directed and protected him shall guide and support

me I shall not fail; I shall succeed。  Let us pray that the God of

our fathers may not forsake us now。  To Him I commend you all。

Permit me to ask that with equal sincerity and faith you will all

invoke His wisdom and goodness for me。



With these words I must leave you; for how long I know not。  Friends;

one and all; I must now wish you an affectionate farewell。









REMARKS AT TOLONO; ILLINOIS; FEBRUARY 11; 1861



I am leaving you on an errand of national importance; attended; as

you are aware; with considerable difficulties。   Let us believe; as

some poet has expressed it; 〃Behind the cloud the sun is still

shining。〃 I bid you an affectionate farewell。









REPLY TO ADDRESS OF WELCOME; INDIANAPOLIS;



INDIANA; FEBRUARY 11; 1861



GOVERNOR MORTON AND FELLOW CITIZENS

OF THE STATE OF INDIANA:



Most heartily do I thank you for this magnificent reception; and

while I cannot take to myself any share of the compliment thus paid;

more than that which pertains to a mere instrument; an accidental

instrument; perhaps I should say; of a great cause; I yet must look

upon it as a most magnificent reception; and as such most heartily do

thank you for it。  You have been pleased to address yourself to me

chiefly in behalf of this glorious Union in which we live; in all of

which you have my hearty sympathy; and; as far as may be within my

power; will have; one and inseparable; my hearty consideration。

While I do not expect; upon this occasion; or until I get to

Washington; to attempt any lengthy speech; I will only say to the

salvation of the Union there needs but one single thingthe hearts

of a people like yours。



The peoplewhen they rise in mass in behalf of the Union and the

liberties of their country; truly may it be said; 〃The gates of hell

cannot prevail against them。〃 In all trying positions in which I

shall be

placedand; doubtless; I shall be placed in many suchmy reliance

will be placed upon you and the people of the United States; and I

wish you to remember; now and forever; that it is your business; and

not mine; that if the union of these States and the liberties of this

people shall be lost; it is but little to any one man of fifty…two

years of age; but a great deal to the thirty millions of people who

inhabit these United States; and to their posterity in all coming

time。  It is your business to rise up and preserve the Union and

liberty for yourselves; and not for me。



I desire they should be constitutionally performed。  I; as already

intimated; am but an accidental instrument; temporary; and to serve

but for a limited time; and I appeal to you again to constantly bear

in mind that with you; and not with politicians; not with Presidents;

not with office…seekers; but with you is the question; Shall the

Union and shall the liberties of this country be preserved to the

latest generations?









ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF INDIANA; AT INDIANAPOLIS;



FEBRUARY 12; 1861



FELLOW…CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA:I am here to thank you much

for this magnificent welcome; and still more for the generous support

given by your State to that political cause which I think is the true

and just cause of the whole country and the whole world。



Solomon says there is 〃a time to keep silence;〃 and when men wrangle

by the mouth with no certainty that they mean the same thing while

using the same word; it perhaps were as well if they would keep

silence。



The words 〃coercion〃 and 〃invasion〃 are much used in these days; and

often with some temper and hot blood

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