Lincoln's Informal Note to McCormick - new date

[Finnigan]

I was at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library on the day when the owner of Lincoln's informal letter to Andrew McCormick donated it, and I was allowed to see this original manuscript with other ALPL staff members present in the main reading room (thanks to Ian Hunt). This was Friday, January 5th.

While this note had been published several decades before, in the 1970s, it's always welcome to see the original now in a public collection. The donor was the great-great-grandson of McCormick, one of the members of the "Long Nine." I didn't talk to him, but he came into the reading room to look at some related documents written by his ancestor while I was there.

The note, which was written during a legislative session in the House of Representatives in Springfield's Old State Capitol, was penned by Lincoln, folded, addressed "Andrew McCormick--present" and then presumably handed to a page to be taken over to McCormick's seat where he then read it and responded. It is unknown whether his response survives.

The manuscript is not dated. It is merely signed "Lincoln" (not A. Lincoln)

It's a fascinating example, I think, of a different side of Lincoln apart from the graceful, diplomatic language that he is so frequently known for. This note is tough, to the point, and yet at some parts pleading. Lincoln uses phrases such as "What!" written in larger letters, "Surely! Surely!" and also "ready to cut our throats"

Ian Hunt said "this will definitely go on display in the Treasures Gallery at the Museum."

Now this was donated on a Friday, and that day I spoke to Dr. Cornelius, Lincoln Curator, about it. When I came into the library the following Monday, Dr. Cornelius mentioned to me something really significant: since possessing the original, it is now thought to have been written earlier than was previously supposed (recall this note is undated).

It was thought to have been written in 1841, but the new theory is that it was in fact written in 1839 which changes what we understand about Lincoln the politician and his thought process. Very interesting!