Annotation
[1] ADf, DLC-RTL. The draft is in Lincoln's autograph excepting the complimentary close and signature and the one insertion noted below, which are John Hay's. On July 23, 1864, James C. Welling, assistant clerk of the U. S. Court of Claims, who later became president of St. John's College and also of Columbia University, wrote John Hay:
``I am requested by the Hon Chas Gibson, the Solicitor for the United States in the Court of Claims, to transmit to the President . . . his resignation of that office. I beg that you will place it in the hands of his Excellency.
``Mr. Gibson has also left with me a copy of his letter of resignation, under instructions to give the same to the public press that the grounds on which he feels it his duty to take this step may be known by his friends in Missouri. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).
Charles Gibson's letter of resignation, July 11, 1864, enclosed by Welling, is as follows:
``I was appointed to office by you at a time when it was deemed advisable for the public welfare, especially in Missouri, to conciliate those---of whom I was one---who did not belong to the party that elected you President, but who obeyed & actively supported you as the duly elected Chief Magistrate of the Nation, and who were unconditionally for the Union. . . .
``The Baltimore Convention has . . . decided to banish from your administration all conservative men and all moderate counsel by resolving . . . that those only are `worthy of public confidence or official trust,' who `cordially indorse' its platform. . . . The Convention has given a still more emphatic & practical evidence of its real feelings . . . in admitting almost unanimously the American radical Delegates from this; & by excluding . . . the Delegates of the Conservative Party. . . .
``Under these circumstances my retention of office . . . would be wholly useless to the country, as well as inconsistent with my principles and I therefore resign the office of `Solicitor of the United States for the Court of Claims.'
``I accepted the office solely as a patriotic duty, & at considerable personal &