Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Francis, Simeon. 'Mrs. Simeon Francis 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=herndon624a.html

Portland Aug 10th /87

Miss Herndon,

Your communication received; in reply would state that my intimacy with Mr & Mrs Lincoln was of so sacred a nature, that on no consideration could I be induced to open to the public gaze, that which has been buried these many years. To me it would look like a breach of trust. Excuse me for thus refusing your request I cannot do otherwise in justice to myself and deceased friends

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3387