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

To Horatio Seymour1Jump to section

Private & Confidential
His Excellency Executive Mansion,
Gov. Seymour Washington, March 23, 1863.

Dear Sir:2Jump to section You and I are substantially strangers; and I write this chiefly that we may become better acquainted. I, for the time being, am at the head of a nation which is in great peril; and you are at the head of the greatest State of that nation. As to maintaining the nation's life, and integrity,3Jump to section I assume, and believe, there can not be a difference of purpose between you and me. If we should differ as to the means, it is important that such difference should be as small as possible---that it should not be enhanced by unjust suspicions on one side or the other. In the performance of my duty, the co-operation of your State, as that of others, is needed---in fact, is indispensable. This alone is a sufficient reason why I should wish to be at4Jump to section a good understanding with you.

Please write me at least as long a letter as this---of course, saying in it, just what you think fit. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1]   ALS-F, ISLA; ADfS, DLC-RTL. On April 14, Governor Seymour replied in part as follows: ``I have delayed answering your letter for some days with a view of preparing a paper in which I wished to state clearly the aspect of public affairs from the stand point I occupy. . . . I have been prevented from giving my views in the manner I intended by a pressure of official duties. . . . In the mean while I assure you that no political resentments, or no personal objects will turn me aside from the pathway I have marked out for myself---I intend to show to those charged with the administration of public affairs a due deference and respect and to yield them a just and generous support in all measures they may adopt within the scope of their constitutional powers. For the preservation of this Union I am ready to make every sacrifice. . . .''

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[2]   ``Dear Sir:'' appears only in the autograph draft in the Lincoln Papers.

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[3]   The autograph draft has a phrase deleted at this point as follows: ``and relieving it from it's peril.''

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[4]   In the autograph draft Lincoln substituted ``at a good understanding'' for ``on good terms.''

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