![[LINCOLN, Abraham]. HAY, John (1838-1905). Autograph letter signed ("John Hay") to Mrs. R. E. White, Washington, 21 July 1862. 1 page, 8vo, Executive Mansion stationery, tipped. -- NICOLAY, John (1832-1901). Autograph letter signed ("Jno. G. Nicolay") to Mrs. R. E. White, Washington D.C., 4 September 1861. 1 page, 8vo, tipped.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2004/NYR/2004_NYR_01450_0425_000(094818).jpg?w=1)
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[LINCOLN, Abraham]. HAY, John (1838-1905). Autograph letter signed ("John Hay") to Mrs. R. E. White, Washington, 21 July 1862. 1 page, 8vo, Executive Mansion stationery, tipped. -- NICOLAY, John (1832-1901). Autograph letter signed ("Jno. G. Nicolay") to Mrs. R. E. White, Washington D.C., 4 September 1861. 1 page, 8vo, tipped.
THE TWO SECRETARIES TO "THE TYCOON." Two thank-you letters to Mrs. R. E. White vfrom the Lincoln White House. Nicolay thanks her for her "patriotic note" and Hay passes along Lincoln's acknowledgment of her "wise suggestions so kindly proffered." The two young men comprised a crucial support team for Lincoln throughout the war. Nicolay was the secretary and Hay Nicolay's assistant. "Absolutely devoted to Lincoln," biographer David Donald writes, "Nicolay and Hay were convinced that he would be remembered as a great President and they early agreed that they would someday write a history of his administration." Behind his back, the two men fondly nicknamed their chief "the Ancient" or "the Tycoon." Lincoln "always addressed Nicolay by his last name and treated him with great respect, but he called Hay 'John' and treated him like a son" (Donald, Lincoln, 310). Lincoln grew increasingly close to both men over the long, arduous years of the war, and he prized their loyalty, discretion and reliability--qualities he rarely saw in his generals or his Cabinet. Together two items. (2)
THE TWO SECRETARIES TO "THE TYCOON." Two thank-you letters to Mrs. R. E. White vfrom the Lincoln White House. Nicolay thanks her for her "patriotic note" and Hay passes along Lincoln's acknowledgment of her "wise suggestions so kindly proffered." The two young men comprised a crucial support team for Lincoln throughout the war. Nicolay was the secretary and Hay Nicolay's assistant. "Absolutely devoted to Lincoln," biographer David Donald writes, "Nicolay and Hay were convinced that he would be remembered as a great President and they early agreed that they would someday write a history of his administration." Behind his back, the two men fondly nicknamed their chief "the Ancient" or "the Tycoon." Lincoln "always addressed Nicolay by his last name and treated him with great respect, but he called Hay 'John' and treated him like a son" (Donald, Lincoln, 310). Lincoln grew increasingly close to both men over the long, arduous years of the war, and he prized their loyalty, discretion and reliability--qualities he rarely saw in his generals or his Cabinet. Together two items. (2)