Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Bateman, Newton. 'Newton Bateman to William H. Herndon' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: letter]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon572a.html

Springfield Mch. 8th 1869

My Dear Sir:

I have yours of 7th inst. I am too unwell & too busy to write or think to-day — will try to Speak of the Subect of your note when I can — Meantime please do not use or refer to our private Conversations or any part of them. My aversion to publicity in such Matters is intense. The tone Manner &c of Mr Lincoln was deeply solemnly religious — it inspired me with awe. He was applying the principles of moral & religious truth to the duties of the hour — the Condition of the Country & the Conduct of public men — ministers of the Gospel &c. I had no thought of Orthodoxy or heterodoxy — unitarianism, trinitarianism or any other ism during the whole Conversation & I don't suppose or believe he had. The room was full of God & high truths & the awfulness of Coming Events — Sects & dogmas in Such a presence! He was alone with the Great God the problem of his Countrys future & his own & I but heard the Communings of his soul —

Truly yours
Newton Bateman

Library of Congress: Jeremiah Black Papers, 59644

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