Life and Works of Abraham Lincoln/Volume 8/Bedell, Miss Grace

Bedell, Miss Grace.

[Private.]

Springfield, Illinois, October 19, 1860.

Miss Grace Bedell:

My dear little Miss: Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughter. I have three sons—one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?

Your very sincere well-wisher,

A. Lincoln.