Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Cannon, LeGrand B. 'LeGrand B. Cannon 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=herndon678.html

566. LeGrand B. Cannon to William H. Herndon.

Near Burlington, Vt. Oct 7 [1889]

My Dear Sir

My friend Jno. Wilson by your permission sends me your letters to him in responce to his enquirys; for which consent I am grateful & will observe its confidences.

I was charmed with your Life of Lincoln ^[1] its the only one attempted which I believe to be truthful & therefore instructive & satisfactory.

The facts which you make public in no measure detract, but on the contrary add luster to his great life. With his low breeding and surroundings, his small opportunity for education & culture, — the infalicity of his married life, & limitations overcoming & bearing all by his virtues & instinct for truth, is simply a marvel.

Your book further suggests to my mind, that that in seeking relief from the discords of his house, brought out his great quality to the Public had it been otherwise I doubt if he would have had the opportunity made a conspicuous record in history, & in this aspect his success, was an accident of life.