Hay, John (1838-1905) to Mrs. Ames
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01822.01 Author/Creator: Hay, John (1838-1905) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 August 1862 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20.5 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Tongue-in-cheek letter written as President Abraham Lincoln's private secretary on Executive Mansion stationery sending a photograph. Comments humorously about his reputation as a tough person stating, "It [the photograph] represents the distinguished subject in his milder moods, when news boys fear not to approach him, and school children ask him the time of day." Signed "Yours very slavishly." Accompanied by two photographs (see GLC1822.02, .03).
Hay later served as Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
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