Monday, August 17, 2026

Abraham Lincoln to Daniel S. Dickinson, August 3, 1858

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., August 3, 1858.

SIR—In March, 1857, I saw upon the railroad train, being taken from Chicago to Alton to the Penitentiary there, a man of gentlemanly appearance by the name of [Alfred Hyde]. He accosted me, and conversed some as to the chance of obtaining a pardon. A year after, he addressed me the enclosed letter from the prison. You see he mentions your name. Do you really know him? If our Governor could learn that he has been respectable and is of respectable connections, perhaps he would pardon him. Please answer.

Pardon the liberty I take in addressing you. Several years ago, I knew you slightly at Washington.

Your obedient servant,
A. LINCOLN.

SOURCES: John R. Dickinson, Editor, Speeches, Correspondence, Etc., of the Late Daniel S. Dickinson of New York, Vol. 2, pp. 513; for the name of the inmate see Daniel S. Dickinson to Abraham Lincoln, August 9, 1858.

No comments: