N Y
Westfield Chatauque Co
Oct 15. 1860
Hon A B Lincoln
Dear Sir,
My father has just home from the fair and brought home your
picture and Mr. Hamlin's. I am a little girl only eleven years old, but want
you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think
me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls
about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if
you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brother's and part of them will
vote for you any way and if you will let your whiskers grow I will try and get
the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your
face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their
husband's to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is a going
to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try and
get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your
picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine
weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter
dir[e]ct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chatauque County New York
I must not write any more answer this letter right off
Good bye
Grace Bedell
_______________
For Lincoln’s reply see:
- Abraham Lincoln to Grace Bedell, October 19, 1860
SOURCE: Roy P. Basler, Editor, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 4, p. 130