Annotation
[1] AL, CSmH. The letter has been mutilated by cutting away the top of the page, the close, and signature, and the removed portions have been restored in another hand. The restored date is somewhat difficult to read, but appears to be ``Aug. 23.'' The envelope is postmarked but the numeral ``3'' is not clear. Haycraft's endorsement on the envelope seems to establish the date, however, as follows: ``Aug. 23. 1860/This not answrd/26. Aug. answrd.'' Haycraft had written on August 19, that he fully understood the playfulness of Lincoln's language in the letter of June 4, and that he wished to clear himself of any knowledge of the New York correspondent's statement. He had taken the fact that Lincoln's letter was marked ``private'' to mean ``not for publication,'' but had showed it to a few friends. If Lincoln desired him to make a statement to the New York Herald, he would be pleased to do so (DLC-RTL).