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To Jose Joaquin Perez1Jump to section
Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States of America,
To His Excellency Jose Joaquin Perez,
President of the Republic of Chile.
Great and Good Friend: I have received the autograph letter of your Excellency dated the 24th. September last apprizing me of your elevation to the Supreme Magistracy of the Republic by the vote of the Chilean nation, and assuring me of your Excellency's best disposition to increase and strengthen the friendly and fraternal relations so happily subsisting between our respective countries.
I offer my sincere congratulations to your Excellency upon the event which you have communicated to me, and I am happy to believe that the sentiments which inspire your Excellency and which the Government and people of the United States cordially reciprocate cannot fail to be productive of the largest benefits to your own Nation, while they will promote the best understanding and harmony with others.
Accept my best wishes for your Excellency's personal happiness, with the assurances of my profound interest in the welfare and prosperity of the Chilean Nation.
May God have your Excellency always in His safe and holy keeping.
Written at the City of Washington the ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
Your Good Friend, ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
Annotation
[1] Copy, DNA FS RG 59, Communications to Foreign Sovereigns and States, III, 134-35; copy, DLC-Thomas H. Nelson Papers.