Chicago, Illinois. Sep. 6. 1863
Yours of Aug. 29 just received. I suppose it was intended by Congress that this government should execute the Act in question, without dependence upon any other government, State, City, or County. It is, however, within the range of practical convenience, to confer with the Governors of States, while it would go quite beyond that range, to have correspondence on the subject with counties and cities. They are too numerous. As instances, I have correspondence with Governor Seymour, but none with Mayor Opdycke---with Gov. Curtin, but none with Mayor Henry.
A. LINCOLN