Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
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Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln6
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln6. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 17, 2025.

Pages

To William H. Seward and Salmon P. Chase1Jump to section

(COPY)
Hon. William H. Seward, & Executive Mansion,
Hon. Salmon P. Chase. Washington, December 20. 1862.

Gentlemen: You have respectively tendered me your resignations, as Secretary of State, and Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. I am apprised of the circumstances which may render this course personally desireable to each of you; but, after most anxious consideration, my deliberate judgment is, that the public interest does not admit of it. I therefore have to request that you will resume the duties of your Departments respectively. Your Obt. Servt. A. LINCOLN.

Page 13

P.S. Same as above sent to Gov. Chase A L.

P.S. Same as above sent to Gov. Seward. A L.

Note---Postscripts, like the above are to respective letters.

Annotation

[1] ALS copy, DLC-RTL; ALS, NAuE. Since this episode has been told a number of times, the editors do not undertake to elaborate upon it. Brief letters of resignation were submitted on December 16 by Seward and on December 20 by Chase. On December 21, Seward wrote, ``I have cheerfully resumed the functions of this Department in obedience to your command.'' (DLC-RTL). Chase, however, replied on December 22, as follows:

``On Saturday afternoon I received your note addressed to Mr. Seward and myself desiring us to resume the charge of our respective Departments.

``I had just written you a letter expressing quite another judgment; and that you may fully understand my sentiments I now send it to you. [See note, Lincoln to Chase, supra.]

``Your note, of course, required me to reconsider my views; and the next [sic] a further reason for reconsideration was furnished by the receipt from Mr. Seward of a copy of his reply to a note from you, identical with that sent to me, announcing his resumption of the duties of the State Department.

``I cannot say that reflection has much if at all changed my original impressions; but it has led me to the conclusion that I ought, in this matter, to conform my action to your judgment and wishes.

``I shall resume, therefore, my post as Secretary of the Treasury; ready, however, at any moment, to resign it, if, in your judgment, the success of your administration may be, in the slightest degree, promoted.'' (Ibid.).

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