LINCOLN CABINET MEMBERS. A collection of approximately twenty-three manuscripts and autographed material, primarily consisting of letters, including several clipped signatures and documents from notable members of Abraham Lincoln's cabinet.

The collection includes: [LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1965)]. An envelope addressed in his hand to Mr. Thomas W. Sweney of Philadelphia. Sweney--a Philadelphia lawyer who kept Lincoln apprised of political developments in the state--most likely reported the news that Pennsylvania Congressman John Hickman (1810-1875) was switching party allegiance and joining the Republicans. Hickman had been elected in 1854 as an anti-Lecompton Democrat. But with the fracture of the Democratic Party into Southern and Northern factions in 1860, he was one of numerous anti-slavery Northern Democrats who decided to cast their lot with the Republicans. Once in office, Lincoln rewarded Sweney with an appointment as an Internal Revenue assessor in Philadelphia. * SEWARD, William H. Document signed as Secretary of State, 1p., Washington, an unissued four-language ship’s passport bearing President Johnson’s facsimile signature. * SEWARD, William H. Letter signed to the President of the National Bank of Commerce Charles H. Russell, Washington, 10 February 1869. In response to Russell’s prior request for letters of introduction to diplomatic representatives abroad, Seward diplomatically declines: “I find that I cannot comply with it without violating a long established rule of the Department which forbids the granting of such letters by any of its officers”. * SEWARD, William H. Circular letter signed as Secretary of State, Washington, 21 July 1863, enclosing a copy of a circular from the Provost Marshal concerning “the rules by which persons claiming exemption from being drafted into military service on the ground of alienage will be expected to support that claim”. Sold with the original enclosure printed by the War Department, Circular No. 53, dated 19 July, 1863. * WELLES, Gideon. Document signed as Secretary of the Navy, Washington, 1 July 1864. 1p. 4to, bifolium. An appointment of Gilman S. Davis as Acting Assistant Paymaster in the Navy. * WELLES, Gideon. Letter signed to a C.F. Cleaveland, likely U.S. representative (and later Governor of Connecticut) Chauncey Fitch Cleveland, Hartford, 17 October 1837. 3pp. 4to, bifolium with integral address leaf also bearing Welles’s franking signature. An lengthy letter with excellent content letter, discussing the state of politics in Connecticut and the ideals of federalism. * HAMLIN, Hannibal. Endorsement signed (“H. Hamlin”) as representative from the state of Maine, signed on the verso of a letter from Maine judge William C. Allen to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting his son, Weld Noble Allen, be admitted into the Naval Academy. Also signed by six other representatives in support of the admittance. * [SEWARD, William H] Partly-printed invitation for dinner completed in autograph, requesting the company of the Secretary of the Navy for dinner, Tuesday, September 24. * HAMLIN, Hannibal. Autograph letter signed (“H. Hamlin”), Bangor, ME, 31 October 1871. 2pp. 8vo. bifolium, introducing a Mr. Merrill, an agent of a railway company. * SEWARD, William H. Autograph letter signed to George W. Blunt, Washington, 12 January 1832. One page, 8vo., bifolium, expressing great pleasure to meet with a Miss Hayes, stating: “I honor a woman who acquired fame by cultivating it” * CAMERON, Simon. Autograph letter signed, Middletown, 31 May 1847[?]. One page, oblong 8vo. regarding a case being made on behalf of his correspondent: “I made two or three requests to Mr. McCulloch, each time begging him to take up the case, and each time got his promise of immediate action…” * STANTON, Edwin M. Autograph letter signed as Secretary of War to Col. Andrew, Paymaster General, Washington, 30 April 1863. One page, 8vo. A letter of introduction to Representative Jonathan Gauson. * HAMLIN, Hannibal. Autograph letter signed (“Hannibal Hamlin”) to Mr. C.B. Fuller, Bangor, ME, 7 July 1883. 1p. 8vo. bifolium, forwarding his autograph to a collector with the sentiment: “The world around us is very much as we make it by our own acts”. * HAMLIN, Hannibal. Autograph letter signed (“H. Hamlin”) to General S. Fairchild, Philadelphia, 16 September 1887. A friendly letter providing an update of his travels ahead of a scheduled meeting. * SEWARD, William H. Autograph letter signed to a New York publication editor Robert Bourne, Washington, 7 February 1864. A friendly note sending his appreciation for forwarding a letter from “our wonderful Mr. Everett”. * BLAIR, Montgomery. Autograph letter signed to Democratic congressman Samuel S. Cox, Washington, 7 December 1867. 1p. 8vo. Accepting an invitation. * STANTON, Edwin M. Autograph letter signed to John Tucker Esq, Washington, 25 April 1860. 1p. 4to., bifolium. A legal letter regarding the opinions of Judges Catrin [?] and Blade in an ongoing case. * Clipped signatures including NICOLAY, John; EVERETT, Edward; CAMERON, Simon; HAY, John; SEWARD, William H. (2); WELLES, Gideon; and CHASE, Samuel.