Who wrote this?

[Gene C]

Sounds like some government official was a little bit jealous.

also according to Wikipedia " After Lincoln's assassination (while Crook was off duty), he continued to work in the White House for a total of more than 50 years, serving 12 presidents."

and..."When his good friend, Ulysses S. Grant, became president, he appointed Crook "Executive Clerk of the President of the United States" in 1870, and "Chief Disbursing Officer" in 1877, the latter the position he would hold for the rest of his career.[2] On January 5, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson and the members of the White House staff celebrated his 50 years of service and presented him with a cane.[2]"

[RJNorton]

This is the beginning of a letter. Who wrote it?

[Joe Di Cola]

Roger,

I believe I remember this from one of the assassination books. Is it Mary Surratt to Andrew Johnson requesting return of her mother's mortal remains?

[Gene C]

I'll guess Anna Surratt

[RJNorton]

Amazing, Joe and Gene. You both are absolutely correct!

The entire text reads:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"His Excellency the President of the United States"

"The undersigned most earnestly and respectfully addresses your excellency on a matter which has been for more than three years to her a source of great affliction. She seeks the privilege of removing the remains of her deceased mother, to have them interred in consecrated ground.

She fondly hopes that your excellency will not allow your authority in the premises to expire without granting this request, prompted only by filial love and devotion to the memory of her dear Mother."

Anna E. Surratt

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The request was granted by Andrew Johnson.

[David Lockmiller]

On November 10, 1864, in response to a serenade from his supporters, President Lincoln began his short speech with this observation: "It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies."

That same day, a person wrote the following message and requested that it be conveyed to President Lincoln: "Congratulate the President for me for the double victory. . . . The election having passed off quietly, no bloodshed or riot throughout the land, is a victory worth more to the country than a battle won. Rebeldom and Europe will so construe it."

Who was this wise person?

No Googling, please.

[RJNorton]

Thaddeus Stevens?

[Gene C]

Charles Francis Adams Sr. the US Minister to the United Kingdom ?

[David Lockmiller]

Roger and Gene, both answers are incorrect but well-reasoned.

[STS Lincolnite]

Was it General Grant?

[AussieMick]

John Bright? Though not sure if he was still alive then.

[Gene C]

Roger and Gene, both answers are incorrect but well-reasoned.

I can live with that

[David Lockmiller]

Was it General Grant?

General Grant is the correct answer.

Professor Burlingame's book Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Vol. Two, Chapter 34 - "The Wisest Radical of All" Reelection, at page 729 reads:

"Congratulate the President for me for the double victory," Grant wired Stanton. "The election having passed off quietly, no bloodshed or riot throughout the land, is a victory worth more to the country than a battle won. Rebeldom and Europe will so construe it." [Footnote 290 reads: Grant to Stanton, City Point, 10 Nov. 1864.]

---

John Bright? Though not sure if he was still alive then.

John Bright was another very good (but incorrect) answer. The mutual respect that President Lincoln and John Bright had for one another was well-earned by both men.

[David Lockmiller]

On November 10, 1864, in response to a serenade from his supporters, President Lincoln began his short speech with this observation: "It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies."

I thought I would share this [page 729 from Professor Burlingame's writing]:

In his formal reply to the congressional committee notifying him of his reelection, Lincoln was eloquent: “Having served four years in the depths of a great, and yet unended national peril, I can view this call to a second term, in nowise more flatteringly to myself, than as an expression of the public judgment, that I may better finish a difficult work, in which I have labored from the first, than could any one less severely schooled to the task. In this view, and with assured reliance on that Almighty Ruler who has so graciously sustained us thus far; and with increased gratitude to the generous people for their continued confidence, I accept the renewed trust, with it’s yet onerous and perplexing duties and responsibilities.” 291 Thurlow Weed told the president that this document “is not only the neatest but the most pregnant and effective use to which theEnglish Language was ever put.” 292

[David Lockmiller]

"I think it was an excellent idea to let them [former black slaves] enlist as soldiers. Equality among men in uniform is the first difficult step. Nothing is better for bringing men together than to live, fight, conquer and die side by side. Thus far it must be acknowledged that they have fought well; fire has not spared them and they have stood up to it bravely."

No Googling please.