LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 7, 1861. Gentlemen: Your kind letter of February 1, with a copy of the resolutions of the General Court, inviting me, in the name of the government and people of Massachusetts, to visit the State and accept its hospitality previous to the time of the presidential inauguration, is gratefully received by the hand of Colonel Horace Binney Sargent; and, in answer, I am constrained to say want of time denies me the pleasure of accepting the invitation so generously tendered. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. LETTER TO WILLIAM DENNISON SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 7, 1861. Sir: Your letter of the 31st ultimo, inviting me, on behalf of the legislature of Ohio, to visit Columbus on my way to Washington, has been duly received. With profound gratitude for the mark of respect and honor thus cordially tendered me by you and them, I accept the invitation. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. Please arrange no ceremonies which will waste time. LETTER TO MESSRS. J. G. Lowe, T. A. PHILLIPS, AND W. H. GILLESPIE, Committee SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 7, 1861. Gentlemen: Your note of to-day, inviting me while on my way to Washington to pass through the town and accept the hospitalities of the citizens of Dayton, Ohio, is before me. A want of the necessary time makes it impossible for me to stop in your town. If it will not retard my arrival at or departure from the city of Columbus, I will endeavor to pass through and at least bow to the friends there; if, however, it would in any wise delay me, they must not even expect this, but be content instead to receive through you my warmest thanks for the kindness and cordiality with which they have tendered this invitation. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. LETTER TO GEORGE B. SENTER AND OTHERS, COMMITTEE SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 8, 1861. Gentlemen: Yours of the 6th, inviting me, in compliance with a resolution of the city council of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, to visit that city on my contemplated journey to Washington, is duly at hand, and in answer I have the honor to accept the invitation. The time of arrival and other details are subject to future arrangement. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. LETTER TO A. D. FINNEY AND OTHERS, Committee SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 8, 1861. Gentlemen: Yours of the 4th, inviting me on behalf of the legislature of Pennsylvania to visit Harrisburg on my way to the Federal capital, is received; and, in answer, allow me to say I gratefully accept the tendered honor. The time of arrival, and other details, are subject to future arrangements. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. FAREWELL ADDRESS AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 11, 1861 1 MY man. Y FRIENDS: No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us con 1 W. H. Lamon, who witnessed this scene of farewell, says: "Having reached the train he [Lincoln] ascended the rear platform, and, facing the throng which had closed around him, drew himself up to his full height, removed his hat, and stood for several seconds in profound silence. . . . There was an unusual quiver on his lip, and a still more unusual tear on his furrowed cheek. . . . At length he began in a husky tone of voice, and slowly and impressively delivered his farewell to his neighbors. Imitating his example, every man in the crowd stood with his head uncovered in the fast-falling rain.” |