Mr. Lincoln's Verbal Reply To Committee Notifying Him Of His Nomination To The Presidency

At Springfield, Ill., May 18, 1860.

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Committee: — I tender to you, and through you to the Republican National Convention, and all the people represented in it, my profoundest thanks for the high honor done me, which you now formally announce.

Deeply, and even painfully sensible of the great responsibility which is inseparable from the high honor, a responsibility which I could almost wish had fallen upon some one of the far more eminent men and experienced statesmen whose distinguished names were before the convention, I shall, by your leave, consider more fully the resolutions of the convention, denominated the platform, and without any unnecessary or unreasonable delay, report to you, Mr. Chairman, in writing, not doubting that the platform will be found satisfactory, and the nomination gratefully accepted. And now I will no longer defer the pleasure of taking you, and each of you, by the hand.

SOURCES: G. M. Van Buren, Abraham Lincoln's Pen And Voice,  p. 13; Roy P. Basler, Editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 4, p. 51