Details
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM, President. Autograph endorsement signed ("A. Lincoln") as President, [Washington, D.C.], 11 June 1862. 1 page, 4to, six lines and signature in center portion of a folded sheet (detached from a letter to Lincoln, no longer present), browned at edges.
"I shall be glad for the within request to be granted, if it can be consistently with the public service." The phrase, "consistently with the public service," is an interesting one which occurs with increasing frequency in Lincoln's presidential endorsements and notes. In April 1862, Lincoln used a less striking echo of the phrase in a note to Stanton: "so far as public service will permit" (Basler, Supplement 10:131). In this and other endorsements employing that qualification, Lincoln directs the recipient to perform a particular action only if it does not contravene law and established practice, leaving the determination of that up to the particular official.
"I shall be glad for the within request to be granted, if it can be consistently with the public service." The phrase, "consistently with the public service," is an interesting one which occurs with increasing frequency in Lincoln's presidential endorsements and notes. In April 1862, Lincoln used a less striking echo of the phrase in a note to Stanton: "so far as public service will permit" (Basler, Supplement 10:131). In this and other endorsements employing that qualification, Lincoln directs the recipient to perform a particular action only if it does not contravene law and established practice, leaving the determination of that up to the particular official.