President-elect Lincoln writes to General Scott through Congressman Washburne



President-elect Abraham Lincoln
As President-elect, Lincoln of course held no actual power until his inauguration in March, 1861.  Nonetheless, he very carefully communicated with Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, through his close friend, Illinois Congressman Elihu Washburne.    

Congressman Elihu Washburne

Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott

Confidential

Hon. E. B.  Washburne

Springfield, Ills.

Dec. 21. 1860

My dear Sir:

Last night I received your letter giving an account of your interview with Gen. Scott, and for which I thank you. Please present my respects to the General, and tell him, confidentially, I shall be obliged to him to be as well prepared as he can to either hold, or retake, the forts, as the case may require, at, and after the inauguration.

Yours as ever.

A. LINCOLN

 




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Source: Basler, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 4, p. 159. 

Date added to website:  January 8, 2025.