February 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, February 22nd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/22/2018
Abraham Lincoln autograph letter signed as President, deftly using his power as President to affect state politics prior to his 1864 reelection. In a letter to his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Lincoln writes on 24 May 1864 on Executive Mansion letterhead: ''Hon. Sec. of War. / Dear Sir, If there be any one or more New-Jersey Colonels commanding Brigades, let the one having best testimonials be nominated for a Brigadier General, if it can, or be soon as it can be, consistently done- Yours truly / A. Lincoln''. At this time, Lincoln was preparing for his second Presidential election in November 1864 and cognizant that New Jersey was one of the few Union states to have voted Democrat in 1860. The President was therefore likely using the opportunity to promote a New Jersey Colonel in an attempt to swing popular opinion in the Garden State to his favor, since political defeat in 1864 was increasingly the surest route that the South had in stopping the war. As it turns out, the Democrats nominated General George McClellan of New Jersey to run against Lincoln, and New Jersey again went Democrat in 1864. Single page letter measures 4.75'' x 7.75''. Letter is hinged at top to mat measuring 8.75'' x 12''. Vertical crease repaired on verso, band of toning to lower portion of page. and very subtle trimming of 1/16'' to lower left. Overall very good condition with bold writing and signature. With a COA from University Archives.
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed as President in 1864 Prior to His Relection -- ''...let the one [New Jersey Colonel] having best testimonials be nominated for a Brigadier General...''
Click above for larger image.