Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Charles J. Peckham to Abraham Lincoln, 9 June 18581
Princeton June 9. 1858.Sir,
It has been determined by the citizens of this place to celebrate the coming 4^th of July, and on behalf of the Com.[Committee] of Arrangments I am instructed to invite you to attend & address us upon that occasion.–

If not otherwise engaged for that day and it will suit your pleasure and convenience to be with us, please answer by telegraph, with your terms.–2 Also if you cannot come inform us at once by same medium.–

R. S. Blackwell Esq.[Esquire] of Chicago has also been invited to address us.–3

Hoping that you may be able to accept our invitation, I remain
Very Respy. Yr^s[Respectfully Yours]Cha^s J. Peckham
for the Com. To/ Hon. A. LincolnSpringfield P.S.–We celebrate upon Monday the 5^th

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[Envelope]

PRINCETON Ill[Illinois].
JUN[JUNE] 9 1858Hon. A. LincolnSpringfieldIll^s
Answer per mail instead of telegraph–

[ docketing ]
Lincoln, Abraham (President)

C. J. Peckham4

1Charles J. Peckham wrote and signed this letter, including the address on the envelope.

2Abraham Lincoln's response to this invitation, if he wrote one, has not been located. Lincoln did not attend the Princeton Independence Day celebration, spending the day in Springfield instead. The Chicago Daily Press and Tribune reported on the festivities in Princeton and the disappointment at the absence of Lincoln: “The first inquiry made by the farmers as they flocked in was, ‘Has Lincoln come?’ The rumor had spread the day previous, that his coming was doubtful, and every Illinoisian was anxious to hear the man who, in addition to his long-sustained character for ability and eloquence, just now occupies so commanding a position as the standard-bearer of the Republican army of Illinois. For once rumor was true. Lincoln did not come.” Lincoln also declined an invitation to attend Independence Day celebrations held on July 5 in Chicago. He attended an afternoon dinner in Springfield honoring the Springfield Pioneer Fire Company.
The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln, 5 July 1858, http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarDay&day=1858-07-05; Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 7 July 1858, 2:5.

3Robert S. Blackwell did address the crowd at the celebration. Other speakers included Owen Lovejoy and George W. Stipp.
Chicago Daily Press and Tribune (IL), 7 July 1858, 2:5-6.

4Lincoln wrote this docketing.