The Bixby Letter

[RJNorton]

Family dynamic differs from family to family. So if some folks feel I propose a weak argument, I hear you. This post is based on how my family works.

I find it strange that Hay never told his own children that he was the author. None of his children ever made the claim that their dad wrote the Bixby letter. There is even a letter from his son in which he says his father never mentioned he was the real author.

Vicki and I have one daughter, Sarah. We know Sarah's accomplishments either through personal observation or having been told by her. Likewise, she knows her parents' accomplishments for the same reasons. That is the way our family works - we share with each other the things we are proud of.

If I had written a letter of which facsimiles were being sold all over the USA, I would tell my daughter that I was the real author of the letter. I think I would do this especially if the letter were being attributed to someone else. There is absolutely no way I can picture myself not telling her.

Thus, because of my own family dynamic, I feel Hay not telling his children is an argument in Lincoln's favor.