"Lincoln" legal mistake

[Eva Elisabeth]

Lincoln once recommend the same strategy (of writing but not sending an emotional letter) to Stanton:

"To such expressions of a natural impatience Mr. Lincoln opposed a placid front. More than that, he was placid. He knew Secretary Stanton's intense, irritable nature. He knew how the excitement of the time tried men's tempers and shattered their nerves. He himself, apparently, was the only one who was not to be allowed the indulgence of giving way. So Mr. Stanton's indignation passed unnoticed. The two men were often at variance when it came to matters of discipline in the army. On one occasion, I have heard, Secretary Stanton was particularly angry with one of the generals. He was eloquent about him. 'I would like to tell him what I think of him!' he stormed.
'Why don't you?' Mr. Lincoln agreed. 'Write it all down - do.'
Mr. Stanton wrote his letter. When it was finished he took it to the President. The President listened to it all.
'All right. Capital!' he nodded. 'And now, Stanton, what are you going to do with it?'
'Do with it? Why, send it, of course!'
'I wouldn't,' said the President. 'Throw it in the waste-paper basket.'
'But it took me two days to write ---'
'Yes, yes, and it did you ever so much good. You feel better now. That is all that is necessary. Just throw it in the basket.'
After a little more expostulation, into the basket it went."

(William H. Crook: "Through Five Administrations: Reminiscences of Colonel William H. Crook", p. 34.)

I consider that a very wise strategy (I wish I would remember it more often).