Alfred Hyde to Abraham Lincoln, March 25, 1858

Alton Mch 25th/58

Abram Lincoln

Springfield

Dear Sir allow me to call your attention back to the 4th of last March & also to the conversation that took place between Your Honor & myself, then a prisoner on the cars from Chicago, for being concerned in the American Exchenge Bank of Georgetown D. C. I write this to you with refferance to engageing you to obtain a pardon for me I was sentenced for 4 years, But I did not have a fair trial nor was I allowed time to get my witnesses, I was indited for haveing ficticious Money, But it was not such thare was such a Bank; & no one ever lost a dollar by it. The Mayor of the City of Georgetown D. C. will satisfy you as to that (the then Mayor)/56

further I had nothing to do with the concern, & more I am not a Villian nor a rascall, have always been in Mercantile buisiness & will refur you to Hon D. S. Dickinson, of Binghamton Judson Smith Esq same place Wm Ross Wallace N. York City Ex Governrr Wm Wood of Cleveland Ohio, & Wm H Seward — for as to my pased life for 10 years— In Chicago to Hanson Abbot G. W. Gage Jencks & Beers & Capt. A. Pellittere, I am here innocent. Now what will you ask to obtain a pardon for me, cash upon my freedom, & it put in Bank before subject to my Pardon, Wm Rutherford & S A. Buckmaster I am told will give me a fair Bill of conduct since here 13 months, James C Brayman has advised me to write you, he works beside me— My Brother Alvin of Brookfield Mass will pay the fee that we may agree upon.—

I write this & send it (Sub Rosa) & you I hope will be so kind as answer it at once & let me know your views & then I will get permission to write you in full — you will need only to go to Chicago once & send here to Mr Rutherford Agent— I am anxious to be out as I am loosing money & time. You can write me without saying you received this letter by evading it & say you have heard from me, Pleas write me at once & I will answer fully & be much obliged to you — while I remain here yours

Most Gratefully

Alfred. Hyde

To Hon A Lincoln

Springfield Ill

Please direct care of Mr S A Buckmaster

SOURCE: Lincoln, Abraham. Abraham Lincoln papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833 to 1916: Alfred Hyde to Abraham Lincoln, Thursday,Legal. 1858. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/mal0074200/.