Westfield, Chatauqua Co. NY
Oct 15, 1860
Hon. A. B. Lincoln
Dear Sir,.
My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin’s. I am a little girl only eleven years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you won’t think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you anyway and if you will let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is a going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try and get everyone to vote for you that I can. I think that rail fence around your picture looks very pretty. I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield, Chatauqua County, New York. I must not write any more answer this letter right off.
Good bye.
Grace Bedell
.
Abraham Lincoln Letters and Documents at the Detroit Public Library
Note:
Shortly after this exchange, Lincoln allowed his beard to grow. By the time he began his inaugural journey from Illinois to Washington, D.C. by train, he had a full beard. The trip took him through New York state, and included a stop in Bedell’s hometown of Westfield, New York, where thousands gathered to meet the president-elect. Once there, Lincoln asked to meet Grace Bedell by name.
Bedell recalled the event years later:
“He climbed down and sat down with me on the edge of the station platform,” she recalled. “‘Gracie,’ he said, ‘look at my whiskers. I have been growing them for you.’ Then he kissed me. I never saw him again.”