October 15, 2011

WESTFIELD, NY / 15 Oct, 1860 // 11-year-old Grace Bedell writes a letter to presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln, suggesting he grow a beard in order to become president. It reads as follows:

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 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont 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 to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you 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 going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try to get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York.
    I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye

    Grace Bedell

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  1. littlecupofespresso reblogged this from mlq3
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  6. egreenman reblogged this from heckyeahpresidents and added:
    Really awesome when
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  11. sirandrewpatrick reblogged this from retrocampaigns and added:
    Maybe I should keep my beard…
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  21. gabrielgadfly reblogged this from heckyeahpresidents and added:
    I don’t know why, but that line gives me chills.
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  23. This was featured in #History
  24. retrocampaigns reblogged this from heckyeahpresidents
  25. taylorlovespeanutbutter reblogged this from heckyeahpresidents and added:
    Look, all I’m saying is, at one point Abe didn’t have a beard. Then this little girl wrote him and asked him to grow one...