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

To Edward L. Baker1Jump to section

E. L. Baker, Esq Executive Mansion,
Dear Sir Washington, June 15, 1863.

Not to exceed two hours after you left me I received a letter from Springfield, renewing the pressure upon me in the matter we talked of; and, in fact, leaving me no alternative but to make some change there. I can say but little beyond what I then said to you. The appeal to me in behalf of Mr. Edwards and Mr. Bailhasche,2Jump to section for a hearing, does not meet the case. No formal charges are preferred against them, so far as I know; nor do I expect any will be made; or, if made, will be substantiated. I certainly do not suppose Mr. Edwards has, at this time of his life, given up his old habits, and turned dishonest; and while I have not known Mr. Bailhasche so long, I have no more affermative reason to suspect him. The trouble with me is of a different character. Sprinfield is my home, and there, more than elsewhere, are my life-long friends. These, for now nearly two years, have been harrassing me because of Mr. E. & Mr. B. I think Mr. E. & Mr. B. without dishonesty on the other hand, could have saved me from this, if they had cared to do

so. They have seemed to think that if they could keep their official record dryly correct, to say the least, it was not any difference how much they might provoke my friends, and harrass me. If this is too strong a statement of the case, still the result has been the same to me; and, as a misfortune merely, I think I have already borne a fair share of it.

In what I may do, I shall try to so shape it, as to not seem to mean more than is really intended. Your Obt. Servt.

A. LINCOLN.

Annotation

[1]   ALS (copy?), DLC-RTL. See Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois and others, May 29, supra. On June 18, Ninian W. Edwards wrote Edward Bates, and at ``the advice of Judge Davis of the Supreme Court'' enclosed a letter to Lincoln with the comment, ``I am anxious to do what you and he may think best.'' To Lincoln, Edwards wrote as follows: ``Mr Baker has shown me your letter of the 15th. It pains me very much to hear that I give you any trouble. I know that I have not only kept my record correct, but I have taken extraordinary pains to avoid giving any cause for complaint. . . . When I asked an office from you . . . I needed it very much. I can now do without it. I don't wish to embarrass you. If I am removed from here it will be said that there is good cause for it. Under my present orders I can keep my office at Chicago . . . or rather than give you further trouble I will resign. I will do what you think best. . . .'' (DLC-RTL). See Lincoln's memorandum, June 22, infra.

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[2]   William H. Bailhache.

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