Beschreibung:

LINCOLN, Abraham. Autograph manuscript signed twice ("A. Lincoln"), as President, comprising TWO DRAFT TOASTS OFOR THE BIRTHDAY OF POET ROBERT BURNS [Washington, D.C.], n.d. [25 January 1865].
LINCOLN, Abraham. Autograph manuscript signed twice ("A. Lincoln"), as President, comprising TWO DRAFT TOASTS OFOR THE BIRTHDAY OF POET ROBERT BURNS [Washington, D.C.], n.d. [25 January 1865]. 1 page, oblong (5¾ x 8¼ in.), in pencil on lined paper, verso with a lengthy explanatory note (probably by an attendee), neatly mounted between glass in a protective case and full morocco gilt slipcase. LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY SALUTE TO ROBERT BURNS "THINKING OF WHAT HE HAS SAID, I CAN NOT SAY ANYTHING WHICH SEEMS WORTH SAYING." An highly unusual manuscript, frequently quoted, constituting one of the only concrete evidences of Lincoln's life-long affinity for the poetry of Robert Burns (1759-1796). Lincoln had been introduced to Burns's poetry as a youth by Jack Kelso, a neighbor in New Salem, and Lincoln "was soon able to recite 'Tam o'Shanter,' 'The Cotter's Saturday Night,' and other long poems" (D.H. Donald, p.47). Among the Americans of Scots ancestry, the birthday of Burns was widely celebrated with bagpipes, banquets and lengthy libacious toasts. The 1865 Washington D.C. Burns observance, for which Lincoln penned the present "memoranda" (in his estimation they did not qualify as toasts), was not the first Lincoln supplied a toast for, or attended. On the centennial of the poet's birth, in 1859, Lincoln had attended a banquet in Springfield, and according to a contemporary account "after dinner Lincoln and others respond to toasts, while 'mountain dew' and 'a large number of mysterious bottles' circulated freely." E.S. Meirs, Lincoln Day by Day , p.241). Alexander Williamson, the young White House tutor to Lincoln's sons "Willie" and "Tad," belonged to the Washington Burns Club and was evidently well aware of Lincoln's reverence for Burns's poetry. On 24 January 1865 he wrote to the President, requesting "the honor of your recognition of the genius of Scotland's bard, by either a toast, a sentiment, or in any other way you may deem proper." Lincoln was not able to attend in person, but, as a contemporary newspaper (cited by Basler) recounts, "Mr. Williamson...read a hastily written memorandum which the President had sent him." The present is, no doubt, the very toast or memorandum read by Williamson before the attendees. Lincoln's first version: "I can not frame a toast to Burns. I can say nothing worthy of his generous heart, and transcendent genius. A. Lincoln." The second, expanded version, penned beneath, reads: "I can not frame a toast to Burns. I can say nothing worthy of his generous heart and transcending genius. Thinking of what he has said, I can not say anything which seems worth saying. A. Lincoln." The explanatory endorsement on the verso is by W.S. Nicholson: "President A. Lincoln, in the midst of the grievous cares which surrounded him, being one evening before the annual meeting of the Burns Club of Washington City, asked by one of its members [Williamson?] for a toast to be presented on his behalf, sat down and penned that on the other side. (It will be observed that it is in two forms - the President being not satisfied with his first draught.)" Published in Basler, 8: 237; see notes by F.M. Szas at http://www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk/education/lincoln-burns.html. Provenance : Philip D. Sang; Mrs. Philip D. Sang, 1983.