Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861].

To Simon Cameron1Jump to section

Private (Copy) Hon. Simon Cameron Springfield, Ills. Jan. 3, 1861

My dear Sir Since seeing you things have developed which make it impossible for me to take you into the cabinet. You will say this comes of an interview with McClure; and this is partly, but not wholly true. The more potent matter is wholly outside of Pennsylvania; and yet I am not at liberty to specify it. Enough that it appears to me to be sufficient. And now I suggest that you write me declining the appointment, in which case I do not object

to its being known that it was tendered you. Better do this at once, before things so change, that you can not honorably decline, and I be compelled to openly recall the tender. No person living knows, or has an intimation that I write this letter. Yours truly

A. LINCOLN

P.S. Telegraph, me instantly, on receipt of this, saying ``All right'' A. L.

Annotation

[1]   ALS copy, DLC-RTL. Lincoln apparently sent a telegram at the time he wrote the letter, for Cameron replied January 5 that he had received the dispatch and was awaiting the letter (DLC-RTL). There are no further letters from Cameron in the Lincoln Papers prior to March 4, 1861. See Lincoln's second letter under date of January 3, which was actually written on January 13 and enclosed with Lincoln's letter to Cameron of January 13, infra.

keyboard_returnReturn