46. Lincoln to Caleb Russell and Sallie Fenton on their support for Emancipation Proclamation

46. Lincoln to Caleb Russell and Sallie Fenton on their support for Emancipation Proclamation

Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Caleb Russell and Sallie Fenton of the Society of Friends in Iowa thanking them for their recent letter expressing support for Lincoln's actions, especially relative to the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln asserts the importance of God's favor, the consistency of his wartime actions with God's will, and the appropriateness of imploring God's favor in the current struggle to preserve America's civil and religious liberty. January 5, 1863. Copy.

1863-01-05

Becki Plunkett and Stephen Vincent

Copyright State Historical Society of Iowa. Information at http://www.iowahistory.org/libraries/services-and-fees/conditions-for-image-reproductions.html

Original scanned at 600 dpi w/ sRGB color space.

State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines

Special Collections: Abraham Lincoln Collection

9/22/2008

Executive Mansion[, ] Washington January 5, 1863 My Good Friends[, ] The Honorable Senator [James] Harlan has just placed in my hands your letter of the 27th of December, which I have read with pleasure and gratitude. It is most cheering and encouraging for one to know that in the efforts which I have made and am making for the restoration of a righteous peace to our country, I am upheld and sustained by the good wishes and prayers of God's people. No one is more deeply than myself aware that without His favor our highest wisdom is but as foolishness, and that our most strenuous efforts would avail nothing in the shadow of His displeasure. I am conscious of no desire for my country's welfare, that is not in consonance with His will, and of no plan upon which we may not ask His blessing. It seems to me that if there be one subject upon which all good men may united by agree, it is imploring the gracious favor of the God of Nations upon the struggles our people are making, for the preservation of their previous birthright of civil and religious liberty. Very truly your friend[, ] A. Lincoln To Caleb Russell[, ] Sallie A[.] Fenton[, ] secretaries