Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Lincoln, Mary Todd. 'Mary Todd Lincoln 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=herndon326.html

Chicago — Ill Aug 28th [1866]

My dear Sir:

Owing to Robert's absence, from Chicago, your last letter to him, was only shown me last evening. The recollection of my beloved husband's truly affectionate regard for you & the knowledge, of your great love & reverence for the best man, that ever lived, would of itself, cause you, to be cherished with the sincerest regard, by my sons & myself. In my overwhelming bereavement, those who loved my idolized husband — aside from disinterested motives — are very precious to me & mine — My grief has been so uncontrollable — that in consequence, I have been obliged, to bury myself in solitude — knowing, that many whom I would see, could not fully, enter into the state of my feelings — I have been thinking for some time past, that I would like to see you & have a long conversation — I write to [know?] if you will be in Springfield next Wednesday week — Sept — 4th ^[2] — if so — at 10 o'clock, in the morning, you will find me, at the St Nicolas Hotel — please — mention this visit to S. to no one — It is a most sacred one — as you may suppose to visit the tomb — which contains my All, in life — My husband. You will excuse me, enclosing you, this sentence, of yours & asking its meaning. ^[3] With

the remembrance of years of very very great domestic happiness — with my darling husband & children — my sons & myself, fail to understand your meaning — will you be pleased to explain —

If it will not be convenient — or if business — at the time specied should require yr absence — should you visit Chicago — any day, this week, I will be pleased to See you. I remain

Very truly
Mary Lincoln

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2625 — 26

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