Your telegram but just received. I will be there tomorrow.'' (Ibid.). Lincoln's business with James Gordon Bennett's close associate William O. Bartlett is suggested by Bartlett's letter to Bennett, November 4, 1864:
``My Dear Sir: I am from Washington, fresh from the bosom of Father Abraham. I had a full conversation with him, alone, on Tuesday evening, at the White House, in regard to yourself, among other subjects.
``I said to him: There are but few days now before the election. If Mr. Bennett is not certainly to have the offer of the French Mission, I want to know it now. It is important to me.
``We discussed the course which the Herald had pursued, at length, and I will tell you, verbally, at your convenience, what he said; but he concluded with the remark that in regard to the understanding between him and me, about Mr. Bennett, he had been a `shut pan, to everybody'; and that he expected to do that thing (appoint you to France) as much as he expected to live. He repeated: `I expect to do it as certainly as I do to be reelected myself.'
``I wanted to see you; but I am obliged to do some work in Pennsylvania, about the election, and cannot till my return.'' (Oliver Carlson, The Man Who Made the News, James Gordon Bennett, p. 370).
See further, Lincoln to Bennett, February 20, infra.