Executive Mansion,
Washington, August 9, 1864
Dear Sir:
Herewith is a full copy of the correspondence, and which I have had privately printed, but not made public-- The parts of your letters which I wish suppressed, are only those which, as I think, give too gloomy an aspect to our cause, and those which present the carrying of elections as a motive of action. I have, as you see, drawn a red pencil over the parts I wish suppressed--
As to the A. H. Stephens matter, so much pressed by you, I can only say that he sought to come to Washington in the name of the "Confederate States," in a vessel of "The Confederate States Navy," and with no pretence even, that he would bear any proposal for peace; but with language showing that his mission would be military, and not civil, or diplomatic. Nor has he at any time since pretended that he had terms of peace, so far as I know, or believe. On the contrary, Jefferson Davis has, in the most formal manner, declared that Stephens had no terms of peace-- I thought we could not afford to give this quasi acknowledgement of the independence of the Confederacy, in a case where there was not even an intimation of any thing for our good. Still, as the parts of your letter relating to Stephens contain nothing worse than a questioning of my action, I do not ask a suppression of those parts--
Yours truly
A. Lincoln
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From Abraham Lincoln to Isaac N. Arnold [Draft]1, May 25, 1864
Executive Mansion,
Washington, May 25, 1864.
My dear Sir,
In regard to the order of General Burnside suspending the Chicago Times now nearly a year ago, I can only say I was embarrassed with the question between what was due to the military service on the one hand, and the Liberty of the Press on the other, and I believe it was the despatch of Senator Trumbull and yourself, added to the proceedings of the meeting which it brought on, that turned the scale in favor of my revoking the order. I am far from certain to-day that the revocation was not right; and I am very sure the small part you took in it, is no just ground to disparage your judgment, much less to impugn your motives. I take it that your devotion to the Union and the Administration can not be questioned by any sincere man.
Yours truly
A. Lincoln
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From Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne [Typed Copy]1, September 16, 1858
Washburne Copy.
(Correct.)
CENTRALIA, Sept. 16, 1858.
Dear Sir:
Yesterday at Jonesborough, Douglas, by way of placing you and me on different ground s, alleged that you were everywhere pledging yourself unconditionally against the admission of any more Slave States. If his allegation be true, leave burn this without answering it. If it be untrue, write me such a letter as I may make public with which to contradict him.
Yours truly,
A. Lincoln.
Address to Springfield.
_______________________
David Upton