Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 8 [ Sept. 12, 1864-Apr. 14, 1865, undated, appendices].

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 8 [ Sept. 12, 1864-Apr. 14, 1865, undated, appendices].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
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Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln8
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 8 [ Sept. 12, 1864-Apr. 14, 1865, undated, appendices]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln8. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 19, 2025.

Pages

To Ulysses S. Grant1Jump to section

Executive Mansion,
Lieut Genl. Grant Washington Feby [c.11] 1865.

City Point. Dr. Ray whom you know will talk to you about a certain matter about which I would like your opinion informally expressed. Yours Very Respectfully A. LINCOLN.

Annotation

[1] Copy, DLC-RTL (4070-22). The bracketed portion of the date has been supplied on the basis of the date of Grant's reply, which is described in the transcript preserved in the Lincoln Papers as appearing on the same sheet as Lincoln's note:

``Trade will be subject to the approval of the Dept. Commanders so far as left for the military to control. I see less objection to whiskey being introduced into the South than to any other one article. Dr. Ray has asked my opinion particularly as to the propriety of taking this article up White river, the Yazoo and the St. Francis. Gen Dana will have to be referred to in matters of trade on the Yazoo, and Gen Reynolds when permits are desired on the other two streams.

``Washington D.C. U.S. GRANT

``Feby 11th 1865. Lt. Genl.''

On January 17, Governor Richard J. Oglesby had written Lincoln: ``Dr C H

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Page 289

Ray formerly of the Tribune is here and I believe is being approached with an offer to engage in an enterprise at Chicago Ills which may lead to a chism in our cause in this State, he desires to turn his attention towards other matters in the border or Rebel States, I really hope you may be able to give the Doctor such privilidges as may induce him to abide by his wishes in this respect and relieve him from the pursuasions of his friends to return just now to the editorial chair. I would like to see him do well and shall be verry much pleased if you can find it agreeable to respond to his wishes. The excitement growing out of the Senatorial contest is still unabated. I think it would be wise to favor any policy to abate it.'' (DLC-RTL).

See further Lincoln's authorization for Ray, February 15, infra