Record Data
Source citation
Edward Bates to Abraham Lincoln, November 24, 1864, Washington, DC, Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress, http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/malhome.html.
Type
Letter
Date Certainty
Exact
Transcriber
Transcribed by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College, Galesburg, IL
Adapted by Rebecca Solnit, Dickinson College
Transcription date
Transcription
The following transcript has been adapted from the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.
Washington, Novr 24. 1864
Honored Sir,
For some months past, you have been aware of my desire to withdraw from the active labors & constant cares of the office which I hold by your favor.
Heretofore,heretofore it has not been compatible with my ideas of duty to the public & fidelity to you, to leave my post of service for any private considerations, however urgent. Then, the fate of the nation hung, in doubt & gloom-- Even your own fate, as identified with the nation, was a source of much anxiety. Now, on the contrary, the affairs of the government display a brighter aspect; and to you, as head & leader of the government, all the honor & good fortune that we hoped for, has come. And it seems to me, under these altered circumstances, that the time has come, when I may, without dereliction of duty, ask leave to retire to private life.
In tendering the resignation of my office of Attorney General of the United States (which I now do) I gladly sieze the occasion to repeat the expression of my gratitude, not only for your good opinion which led to my appointment, but also for your uniform & unvarying courtesy & kindness during the whole time in which we have been associated in the public service. The memory of that kindness & personal favor, I shall bear with me into private life, and hope to retain it in my heart, as long as I live.
Pray let my resignation take effect on the last day of November.
With heartfelt respect
I remain your
friend & servant
Edwd. Bates
Honored Sir,
For some months past, you have been aware of my desire to withdraw from the active labors & constant cares of the office which I hold by your favor.
Heretofore,
In tendering the resignation of my office of Attorney General of the United States (which I now do) I gladly sieze the occasion to repeat the expression of my gratitude, not only for your good opinion which led to my appointment, but also for your uniform & unvarying courtesy & kindness during the whole time in which we have been associated in the public service. The memory of that kindness & personal favor, I shall bear with me into private life, and hope to retain it in my heart, as long as I live.
Pray let my resignation take effect on the last day of November.
With heartfelt respect
I remain your
friend & servant
Edwd. Bates
