Documents by Abraham Lincoln
Letter to Henry Pierce and Others
Source: Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, eds. John Nicolay and John Hay, vol. 2 (New…
“House Divided” Speech
Source: Abraham Lincoln, “A Speech of the Hon. Abraham Lincoln,” Illinois State Journal, vol. 11,…
Reply to the Dred Scott Decision
Source: Frank Crosby, LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, HIS EARLY HISTORY AND POLITICAL CAREER; TOGETHER WITH…
Address before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society
Source: Life and Works of Abraham Lincoln, Centenary Edition, Volume II, Marion Mills Miller, ed.,…
First Inaugural Address
Source: Abraham Lincoln, Inaugural Address Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American…
Fragment on the Constitution and Union
Source: New Letters and Papers of Lincoln, compiled by Paul M. Angle (Boston: Houghton Mifflin…
Speech on the Repeal of the Missouri Compromise
Source: Life and Works of Abraham Lincoln, Centenary Edition, Volume II, Marion Mills Miller, ed.,…
“House Divided” Speech
Source: Life and Works of Abraham Lincoln, Centenary Edition, Volume III, Marion Mills Miller, ed.,…
First Inaugural Address (1861)
Source: Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, Final Version, March 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers (Series 1: General Correspondence, 1833 to 1916), Library…
Letter to Nathaniel Banks
Source: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy Basler, Volume 6 (The Abraham Lincoln…
Letter to Nathaniel Banks
Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln Papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833-1916: Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P.…
Spot Resolutions
Printed Resolution and Preamble on Mexican War: “Spot Resolutions,” Abraham Lincoln Papers: Series 1, General…
Fragment on Government
The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they…
Annual Message to Congress (excerpt)
It continues to develop that the insurrection is largely, if not exclusively, a war upon…
Speech on the Kansas Nebraska Act at Peoria, Illinois (abridged)
The repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the propriety of its restoration, constitute the subject…
Letter to Ulysses S. Grant
Major General Grant My dear General I do not remember that you and I ever…
Letter to George McClellan
Major General McClellan. My dear Sir. Your despatches complaining that you are not properly sustained,…
Second Inaugural Address (1865)
Fellow Countrymen: At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there…
Stay of Execution for Nathaniel Gordon
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, To all to whom these Presents…
Wade-Davis Bill and President Lincoln’s Pocket Veto Proclamation
Source: Abraham Lincoln, “Proclamation 115 – Concerning a Bill To Guarantee to Certain States, Whose…
Letter to James H. Hackett
MY DEAR SIR: Months ago I should have acknowledged the receipt of your book and…
Speech to the 166th Ohio Regiment
I suppose you are going home to see your families and friends. For the service…
Fragment on Free Labor
Equality, in society, alike beats inequality, whether the latter be of the British aristocratic sort, or…
Letter to Matthew Birchard and Others
Messrs M. Birchard David A Houk Geo. Bliss T. W. Bartley W. J. Gordon…
Second Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions
We have all heard of Young America. He is the most current youth of…
First Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions
All creation is a mine, and every man, a miner. The whole earth, and all…
Letter to Mrs. Orville Browning
Springfield Dear Madam: Without appologising[sic] for being egotistical, I shall make the history of…
Letter to John Johnston
Dear Brother: On the day before yesterday I received a letter from Harriett, written…
Spot Resolutions in the U.S. House of Representatives
WHEREAS the President of the United States, in his message of May 11th. 1846,…
Letter to John Johnston
Dear Brother Your letter of the 22nd. is just received. Your proposal about selling the…
Letter to John Johnston
Dear Brother: When I wrote you before I had not received your letter. I still…
Letter to John D. Johnston
Dear Brother: When I came into Charleston daybefore yesterday, I learned that you are anxious…
Lincoln’s Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
Source: Abraham Lincoln, Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, December 8, 1863. https://goo.gl/HcmgVh Whereas, in and…
Abraham Lincoln to General N.P. Banks
Major General Banks, Yours of the 22nd. Inst. is just received. In the proclamation…
The “To Whom it May Concern” Letter
Executive Mansion, Washington, July 18, 1864. To Whom it may concern: Any proposition which embraces…
Abraham Lincoln to General Schurz
Private & confidential Executive Mansion, Washington, Nov. 10. 1862. Gen. Schurz. My dear Sir Yours…
To Lose Kentucky is to Lose the Whole Game
Private & confidential. Hon. O. H. Browning My dear Sir Yours of the 17th…
Last Public Address
Source: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy Basler, Volume 8 (The Abraham Lincoln…
Response to a Serenade
The President said he supposed the passage through Congress of the Constitutional amendment for…
Resolution Submitting the Thirteenth Amendment to the States
Thirty-Eighth Congress of the United States. A Resolution Submitting to the Legislatures of the several…
Story written for Noah Brooks
On thursday of last week two ladies from Tennessee came before the President asking the…
Response to a Serenade
It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for…
Reply to Loyal Colored People of Baltimore upon Presentation of a Bible
This occasion would seem fitting for a lengthy response to the address which you have…
Meditation on the Divine Will
The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance…
Letter to Mrs. Eliza P. Gurney
Eliza P. Gurney My esteemed friend. I have not forgotten———probably never shall forget———the very impressive…
Letter to George B. Ide, James R. Doolittle, and A. Hubbell
Rev. Dr. Ide Hon. J. R. Doolittle & Hon. A. Hubbell Committee In response…
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