Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) to Caleb B. Smith and William P. Dole

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01695 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 December 1862 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20 x 13 cm. Order a Copy

Written on Executive Mansion stationery to "Sec. of Interior (Smith) and Comr. of Indian Affairs (Dole)." Says that Mr. DuPuy lost his job as an Indian Agent after being falsely accused. Acknowledges that he should be reinstated, but realizes the man now in his place also deserves to stay. Asks the recipients to decide this matter.

Caleb Smith served as the Secretary of the Interior under President Lincoln.
William P. Dole served as the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for a number of years.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, December 27, 1862.
Hon. Sec. of Interior &
Comr. of Indian Affairs
Mr. De Puy was appointed Indian Agent. Charges were made against him, and another was appointed to the same office. The charges fail in the proof, & [struck: at] Mr. De Puy's reappointment is sought. But Mr. Daily, the territorial delegate, asks that the other appointee be not removed. Please call Mr. Daily [inserted above: & Mr. De Puy] before [inserted below: you] & give them a fair hearing, decide what is proper to be done & I will do it.
Yours truly
A. Lincoln

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864
Dole, William P., 1818-1889

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