Lincoln's loss in 1864

[David Lockmiller]

I came across the letter that in 1864 Lincoln had his cabinet sign sight unseen concerning what would happen if he lost the election of 1864. To refresh your memory, here it is:

This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to so cooperate with the Government President elect, as to save the Union between the Election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he cannot possibly save it afterwards.

Doris Kearns Goodwin brilliantly addressed this issue in her book Team of Rivals at pages 648-53.