Salmon P. Chase to Abraham Lincoln, May 17, 1860 (Congratulations)

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Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois.

From Salmon P. Chase to Abraham Lincoln¹, May 17, 1860

[Note 1 This letter is misdated, as Lincoln was nominated on May 18, 1860. For Lincoln's reply, see Lincoln to Chase, May 26, 1860.]

Columbus, May 17, 1860

My dear Sir,

I congratulate you most heartily on your nomination, & shall support you, in 1860, as cordially and earnestly as I did in 1858.

The excellent platform adopted and the selection, as your associate on the ticket, of that true & able man, Hannibal Hamlin as your associate on the ticket completes my satisfaction with the results of the Convention. They will prove I am confident, as auspicious to the country as they are honorable to the nominees.

Mr Seward has much reason to be gratified by the large and cordial support which he received, and especially by the generous, unanimous & constant adhesion, without regard to personal preferences, of the entire delegation from his own great state. Doubtless the similar adhesion of the Illinois delegation affords a higher gratification to you than even the nomination itself. The only regret I feel connected with the Convention is excited by the failure of the delegates from Ohio to exercise the same generous spirit. In this regret I am quite sure you must participate; for I err greatly in my estimate of your magnamity, if you do not condemn as I do the conduct of delegates, from whatever State, who disregard, while acting as such, the clearly expressed preference of their own State Convention.

Yours cordially

S. P. Chase

[Endorsement on Envelope by Lincoln:]

Hon S. P. Chase