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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 Robert B. Roosevelt, John J. Astor Jr., and Nathaniel Sands

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04922 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C Type: Letter signed Date: 9 November 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy

Declining to endorse General Dix for Mayor of New York stating that it is beyond his power to interfere with New York politics. Written on a petition signed by R.B. Roosevelt and other Republican leaders of New York City, though Lincoln's letter includes Executive Mansion letterhead. Lincoln's note above salutation reads "Private except for Mr. Dix." Signers include Peter Cooper, William B. Astor, John Jacob Astor, Jr., M. Delano, Nathaniel Sands, Alexander T. Stewart, George Cabot Ward, William Orlon, Jonathan Sturpes, John Cochrane, A. R. Wetmore, Nathaniel Hayden, Edwin Hoyt, T. R. Butler, W.R. Vermilye, James M. Brown, John P. Moon, David Hoadley, Edward S. Jaffray, and W. M. Vermilye.

Dix had helped suppress the Draft Riots in July 1863. In the end, he refused to run.

Private, except to Gen. Dir.
Executive Mansion,
Washington, November 9, 1863.
Gentlemen:
Upon the subject of your letter. I have to say that it is beyond my province to interfere with New York city politics; that I am very grateful to Gen. Dix for the zealous and able military and quasi civil support he has given the government during the war; and that if the people of New York should tender him the mayoralty [sic] and he accept it, nothing on that subject could be more satisfactory to me. In his I must not be understood as saying anything against any one or as attempting the least de[text loss] of dictation to the matter. To state it in another way, if Gen. Dix's present relation to the general government lays any restraint refer him in this matter, I wish to remove that restraint.

Yours truly
Messrs. Robt B Roosevelt A. Lincoln
J.J. Astor Jr
Nathl. Sands

[2] New York Nov. 7.1863
The undersigned representing in the city of New York back political parties have offered Gen. Dix the nomination for Mayor and finding some hesitation on his part arising from his official position ask President Lincoln in view of the great national importance of the nation to request Gen. Dix to accept the nomination.

Rob. B. Roosevelt Wm.B. Astor
Secritary Chairman
M. Delano Peter Cooper
Nath Sands Alex T. Stewart
George Cabot Ward J.J. Astor, Jnr.
William Orton Johnathan Sturpes
John Cochran A.R.Wetmore
Nathan Hayden Edwin Hoyt
T.R. Bather W.R. Vermilya
James M. Brown John P. Moore
David Hoadley Edward S. Jaffray
W.M. Vermilye

[address leaf]

The President to
Mr Robt. Roosevelt.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Roosevelt, Robert Barnwell, 1829-1906
Astor, John Jacob, 1822-1890
Astor, William Backhouse, 1792-1875
Cooper, Peter, 1791-1883
Stewart, Alexander Turney, 1803-1876
Cochrane, John, 1813-1898
Hayden, Nathaniel, 1805-1875
Vermilye, William Montgomery, 1801-1878
Delano, M., fl. 1863
Sands, Nathaniel, fl. 1863
Ward, George Cabot, 1824-1887
Orlon, William, fl. 1863
Sturpes, Jonathan, fl. 1863
Wetmore, A.R., fl. 1863
Brown, James M., fl. 1863
Moon, John M., fl. 1863
Hoadley, David, fl. 1863
Jaffray, Edward S., fl. 1863
Vermilye, William R., fl. 1863

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