American Historical Ephemera & Photography

3 pages, folio, 7 7/8 x 10 in. Creased at old folds, some ink transfer and smudging throughout. On War Department letterhead. With free franked envelope signed ("Edwin M Stanton") and addressed in Stanton's hand, cancelled at Washington, DC. 

In this letter, marked "Private" to upper left, Stanton first acknowledges receipt of a note to himself and a note addressed to President Lincoln, and secondly thanks Pierrepont for his "kindness confidence and manly support," which he must have provided as a response to public attacks on Stanton's performance as the primary leader of the War Department. Stanton expresses appreciation for Pierrepont's solicitude, and assures him that he has the support of the President, and that he is "neither surprised nor grieved by any manifestation of doubt or hostility." 

Stanton explains his decision not to deliver the note intended for the President, writing, "...for upon any other tenure than his own judgment I would not remain a minute. He has never given the slightest sign of any disposition for a change, and never at any period of an official intercourse manifested a greater degree of confidence and earnest good will than during the past two weeks." Stanton asserts that the rumors of his resignation are just "weak devices," and though he does admit he is "growing weary of the labor..." he insists that he "shall not seek it [rest] in the face of the enemy..." 

An important letter from Secretary of War Edwin Stanton shedding light on his relationship with President Lincoln and exhibiting his confidence and steady posture amidst criticism and opposition.