James Buchanan to James Gordon Bennett, March 11, 1861

Wheatland 11 March 1861.

My dear Sir/

Will you be kind enough to direct the Herald to be sent to me directed to Lancaster. I have been quite lost without it.

I am once more settled at this my quiet home; & one of my first impulses is to return you my cordial & grateful thanks for the able & powerful support which you have given me almost universally throughout my stormy and turbulent administration.

Under Heaven's blessing the administration has been eminently successful in its foreign & domestic policy, unless we may except the sad events which have recently occurred. Those no human wisdom could have prevented. Whether I have done all I could consistently with my duty to give them a wise & peaceful direction towards the preservation or reconstruction of the union, will be for the public & posterity to judge. I feel conscious that I have done my duty in this respect & that I shall at last receive justice.

With my kindest regards to Mrs. Bennett, I remain sincerely & respectfully your friend

James Buchanan