The Lincoln Mailbag: America Writes to the President, 1861-1865

1863

A rare full-length camera portrait by Alexander Gardner, taken in Washington on Aug. 9, 1863. Lincoln was so tall that the base of the photographer 's immobilizer was placed on a pile of books or boxes so it could reach Lincoln's neck; the feet of its base are visible just below his knees. Photograph courtesy of author. A Poetic Tribute to Emancipation To Abraham Lincoln After reading his recent Proclamation. Not often unto mortal is it givenWhate 'er his worldly rank or state may The power, sustained by principle and truth, To set, as Lincoln did, a people free. He was ordained to do this Christlike deed, To snap the bonds of slavery apart; To break the chains which held the negro down, And draw the iron from his bleeding heart. This Proclamation, stamped with his strong will, This writ of Freedom, sealed by his firm hand, This last, great act, Emancipation's prayer, Freeing all bondsmen living in the land, Will cause Humanity throughout the world, To bless and honor Abraham Lincoln's name; And, more than marble fame or statues could, Will crown his memory with enduring fame. Barry Gray. New York. Jan'y. I863. Uanuary I863] No acknowledgment of this poem is known. It was one of several that were inspired by the proclamation and sent to the White House. Black Doctor Wants to Serve Toronto Canada West Jan 7163 President Abraham Lincoln Sir, Having seen that it is intended to garrison the U.S. forts &c with colored troops, I beg leave to apply to you for an appointment as surgeon to some of the coloured regiments, or as physician to some of the de[s]pots I8 of "freedmen." I was compelled to leave my native country, and come to this on account of prejudice against colour, for the purpose of obtaining a knowledge of my profession; and having accomplished that object, at one of the principle educational institutions of this Province, I am now prepared to practice it, and would like to be in a position where I can be of use to my race, If you will take the matter into favorable consideration, I can give satisfactory reference as to character and qualification from some of the most distinguished members of the profession in this city where I have been in practice for about six years. I Remain Sir Yours Very Respectfully A. T. Augusta Bachelor of Medicine Trinity College Toronto Lincoln forwarded this letter to the Army Medical Board, which ruled in March that Alexander T. Augusta could not serve in the American military because he was a British subject and "a person of African descent." But Augusta would not give up. He journeyed to Washington "at great expence and sacrifice" and appealed the decision, arguing that he desired only "to be of some use to the country and my race during this eventful period." The board reversed itself, and Augusta went on to serve as a military surgeon in "the Negro regiment now being raised." (Letter, Service Records, National Archives; Ed. note, Ira Berlin ct aI., Freedom: A Documentary History of Emancipation, Series II: The Black Military Experience [New York: Cambridge University Press, 1982],354-55) Gold from the Southwest-with the Promise of More Mr Lincoln Dear Sir Santa Fe N. M. Feby I, I863 I send herewith specimens of gold and silver ore from mine in Arizona. They were brought from there by Brig Gen James H. Carleton Commanding the Department of New Mexico, and I send them at his request. Gen Carleton who is an able man and an accomplished geologist , and is perfectly familiar with this whole country declares that when its gold fields are developed they will prove to be richer than those of California- In the Southern part of the Territory near Fort Stanton there are some two hundred Mexicans at work digging gold and with considerable success- The Legislature has asked of Congress an appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars to build a major road from the Rio Grande at or near Fort Craig by way of these Pino Alto Mines which will be nearer than the present route to Western Arizona by one hundred miles, will avoid the Potrillo Mountains so much dreaded by travellers, and should at any time the Country about Mesilla be in the hands of enemies, the new route should be perfectly safe Should the memorial be...