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

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
Rights/Permissions: The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes, with permission from their copyright holder. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission.
Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln4
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln4. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 20, 2025.

Pages

To Joshua R. Giddings1Jump to section

COPY.
Hon: J. R. Giddings: Springfield, Ills. May 21. 1860

My good friend: Your very kind and acceptable letter of the 19th. was duly handed me by Mr. Tuck.2Jump to section It is indeed, most grateful to my feelings, that the responsible position assigned me, comes without conditions, save only such honorable ones as are fairly implied. I am not wanting in the purpose, though I may fail in the strength, to maintain my freedom from bad influences. Your letter comes to my aid in this point, most opportunely. May the Almighty grant that the cause of truth, justice, and humanity, shall in no wise suffer at my hands.

Page 52

Mrs. L. joins me in sincere wishes for your health, happiness, and long life. A LINCOLN.

Annotation

[1] ALS copy, DLC-RTL. Although marked ``copy'' by Lincoln, the document appears because of a few transpositions and emendations to be the first draft. Giddings wrote from Chicago that Lincoln had been nominated because of his honesty and freedom from corrupt men and that he should place himself under obligations to no one.

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[2] Amos Tuck, former U.S. representative (1847-1853) from Exeter, New Hampshire, who filled a speaking engagement at Springfield on May 21.