Annotation
[1] ALS, owned by E. H. Brewer, Chicago, Illinois. Charles Marsh, secretary of committee, Springfield, Massachusetts, wrote Lincoln on December 10:
``The object of this communication which will be presented to you by our distinguished fellow citizen, Hon. Geo. Ashmun, is to invite you to be present at the opening of a `Soldiers Fair' to be held in this City, on the 19th, 20th, 21st, & 22d days of the present month
``While we appreciate the laborious and harassing duties, incident to your high position, we venture to suggest that the respite afforded by the acceptance of this invitation would prove most welcome to you.
``You need no other assurance, than that given by the recent vote of the Old Bay State, that, here, you would be among your friends. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).