Apologizing for "apparent rudeness" to his Secretary of the Interior - photo 1
Apologizing for "apparent rudeness" to his Secretary of the Interior - photo 2

Apologizing for "apparent rudeness" to his Secretary of the Interior

Lot 199
28.01.2025 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1360916
Lot 199 | Apologizing for "apparent rudeness" to his Secretary of the Interior
Estimate value
$ 8 000 – 12 000
LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). Autograph letter signed as President ("A. Lincoln") to Secretary of the Interior Caleb B. Smith, Executive Mansion, 17 June 1861.

One page, bifolium, 128 x 202mm., docketed by Smith on the verso (light mailing folds, small spots of soiling).

President Lincoln apologizes for "apparent rudeness" shown to his Secretary of the Interior, adding: "When you left the room today, I was afraid I had hurt your feelings ... I write this to say you must not take it, if, indeed, you ever thought of such a thing." While further context for Lincoln's apology is unknown, the President was known for his unrestrained and occasionally crass sense of humor, often turning to comedic anecdotes during the darkest moments of his presidency to help lessen tensions. While many of those close to the President grew to appreciate his story-telling, his tendency to break off into stories during serious updates occasionally met with disapproval among his inner circle. For example, after his Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch called upon Lincoln days after the demoralizing First Battle of Bull Run, Lincoln's humorous response to some statements about the battle initially left McCulloch "feeling that I had been mistaken in Mr. Lincoln’s character ... I could not then understand how the President could feel like telling a story when Washington was in danger of being captured, and the whole North was dismayed..." (Allen Thorndike Rice, ed., Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln (Hugh McCullough), p. 417-18).

Caleb B. Smith chaired the Indiana delegation at the 1860 Republican National Convention, where his support of Lincoln's candidacy was critical to ensuring his nomination. While Smith was appointed Secretary of the Interior the following year, he leaned much more conservative than Lincoln on many issues, reportedly opposing the Emancipation Proclamation and initially stating to his Deputy that he would resign and attack the administration if it were implemented (though he would later change his views and support it). These differences, coupled with his growing frustrations with perceived mismanagement by Lincoln's Secretary of State, William H. Seward, would lead to his resignation in January 1863. Provenance: A. T. White or Adrien Van Sinderen – by descent to the consignor.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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14.01.2025 – 28.01.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
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