despatch that the question was narrowed down to Mr.
B and myself, and that the Cabinet had postponed the
appointment three weeks, for my benefit. Not
doubting that Mr. Edwards was wholly out of the question
I, nevertheless, would not then have become an applicant
had I supposed he would thereby be brought to suspect
me of treachery to him. Two or three days afterwards
a conversation with Levi Davis convinced me Mr. Edwards
was dissatisfied; but I was then too far in to get
out. His own letter, written on the 25th of April,
after I had fully informed him of all that had passed,
up to within a few days of that time, gave assurance
I had that entire confidence from him which I felt
my uniform and strong friendship for him entitled me
to. Among other things it says, “Whatever
course your judgment may dictate as proper to be pursued,
shall never be excepted to by me.” I also
had had a letter from Washington, saying Chambers,
of the Republic, had brought a rumor then, that Mr.
E had declined in my favor, which rumor I judged came
from Mr. E himself, as I had not then breathed of
his letter to any living creature. In saying
I had never, before the 2nd of June, determined to
be an applicant, unconditionally, I mean to admit
that, before then, I had said substantially I would
take the office rather than it should be lost to the
State, or given to one in the State whom the Whigs
did not want; but I aver that in every instance in
which I spoke of myself, I intended to keep, and now
believe I did keep, Mr. E above myself. Mr. Edwards’
first suspicion was that I had allowed Baker to overreach
me, as his friend, in behalf of Don Morrison.
I knew this was a mistake; and the result has proved
it. I understand his view now is, that if I had
gone to open war with Baker I could have ridden him
down, and had the thing all my own way. I believe
no such thing. With Baker and some strong man
from the Military tract & elsewhere for Morrison,
and we and some strong man from the Wabash & elsewhere
for Mr. E, it was not possible for either to succeed.
I believed this in March, and I know it now. The
only thing which gave either any chance was the very
thing Baker & I proposed,—an adjustment
with themselves.
You may wish to know how Butterfield finally beat
me. I can not tell you particulars now, but will
when I see you. In the meantime let it be understood
I am not greatly dissatisfied,—I wish the
offer had been so bestowed as to encourage our friends
in future contests, and I regret exceedingly Mr. Edwards’
feelings towards me. These two things away, I
should have no regrets,—at least I think
I would not.
Write me soon.
Your friend, as ever,
A. Lincoln.
At a meeting to express sympathy with the cause of
Hungarian freedom, Dr. Todd, Thos. Lewis, Hon.
A. Lincoln, and Wm. Carpenter were appointed a committee
to present appropriate resolutions, which reported
through Hon. A. Lincoln the following:
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