The Bixby Letter

[ELCore]

(04-03-2013 12:38 PM)wsanto Wrote:  Now if Hay wrote the Bixby letter in the course of his normal duties of writing a large percentage of Lincoln's correspondence why did he not use these same words and phrases in these other letters typically credited to Lincoln?

Perhaps because no other letters were of a kind, or concerning a topic, or about an occasion, that called for their use. How often would the word "beguile" in any of its many possible meanings, or synonyms, be occasioned in presidential correspondence? No matter who actually wrote it, apparently only once during Lincoln's.

I thought it may, or may not, be useful to quote the five letters that Bixby had put in the scrap book that sparked Burlingame's continued defense of Hay's authorship; Burlingame surmises that their inclusion was Hay's silent assertion of authorship. (Which seems plausible to me.) Interestingly enough, one of them is definitely not in Lincoln's handwriting; for another, a draft exists which is in Lincoln's handwriting.

To George Opdyke, et al., 2 Dec 1863:

Quote:Yours of the 28th. ult. inviting me to be present at a meeting to be held at the Cooper Institute, on the 3rd. Inst. to promote the raising of volunteers, is received. Nothing would be more grateful to my feelings, or better accord with my judgment than to contribute, if I could, by my presence, or otherwise, to that eminently patriotic object. Nevertheless the now early meeting of congress, together with a temporary illness, render my attendance impossible.

You purpose also to celebrate our Western victories. Freed from apprehension of wounding the just sensibilities of brave soldiers fighting elsewhere, it would be exceedingly agreeable to me to join in a suitable acknowledgment to those of the Great West, with whom I was born, and have passed my life. And it is exceedingly gratifying that a portion lately of the Army of the Potomac, but now serving with the great army of the West, have borne so conspicuous a part in the late brilliant triumphs in Georgia.

Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause—honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle.

That is the letter for which Basler says we have a draft in Lincoln's hand.

To Lydia Bixby, 21 Nov 1864:

Quote:I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

To John Phillips, 21 Nov 1864:

Quote:The example of such devotion to civic duties in one whose days have already extended an average life time beyond the Psalmist's limit, cannot but be valuable and fruitful. It is not for myself only, but for the country which you have in your sphere served so long and so well, that I thank you.

That is the letter of which Basler says the original is in an unknown hand. (I figure that means it's in neither Lincoln's nor Hay's nor Nicolay's hand, at the least.)

To L. B. Wyman, 11 Nov 1861. Basler does not include the text of this letter, but indicates it was written by Hay.

To F. B. Loomis, 12 May 1864:

Quote:I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 28th April, in which you offer to replace the present garrison of Fort Trumbull with volunteers, which you propose to raise at your own expense. While it seems inexpedient at this time to accept this proposition, on account of the special duties now devolving upon the garrison mentioned, I cannot pass unnoticed such a meritorious instance of individual patriotism. Permit me, for the Government, to express my cordial thanks to you for this generous and public-spirited offer, which is worthy of note among the many called forth in these times of national trial.