To Isaac N. Morris1Jump to section
Sir Washington, Sep. 18, 1863.
Please carefully put the argument in writing, with reference to authorities, in the matter intended to show that the law gives an appeal to me, in the case referred to. When that is ready to be presented, I will try to give you the personal interview about Illinois matters generally. Yours truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS-P, ISLA; LS copy, DLC-RTL. See Lincoln's letter to Morris of August 26, supra. Morris wrote Lincoln on September 18:
``In your letter to me under date of the 26th ult you say, in refering to the business of Illinois, then pending before the Secretary of the Interior, when he shall have acted, if his action is not satisfactory, there may or may not be an appeal to me. It is a point I have not considered, but if . . . the law gives such appeal, I shall not hesitate to entertain it. . . . The action of the Interior Secretary not being satisfactory I am now ready to make the showing you refer to. I have also some general views to present which, I am sure, you will not be averse to hearing as you cannot but feel an interest in all that pertains to Illinois. I desire an audience in her behalf, and if, after I shall have presented the facts, you should think she has no rights which you have power to enforce so let it be. . . .''
``P.S.: The Hon Reverdy Johnson will assist in the argument and will be oblige if you will state when you will hear us. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock would suit us for the interview. Will it suit yours. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).