[bjs1779]

I beg your pardon for having overlooked, in the pressure of business, in my latter days in the office, the duty to give formal answer to your question concerning your power still to retain the Revd Mr Mitchell as your assistant or aid in the matter of executing the several acts of Congress relating to the emigration or Colonizing of the freed blacks.

Does this not sound like Bates had blown off a Lincoln previous request and is now responding to pressure?

[nolu chan]

[bjs1779] Does this not sound like Bates had blown off a Lincoln previous request and is now responding to pressure?

I suppose it might appear that way, but I believe it was just a matter of Attorney General Bates clearing up all unfinished business as he resigned from office.

LINK

Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois.

From Edward Bates to Abraham Lincoln, November 24, 1864

Washington, Novr 24. 1864

Honored Sir,

For some months past, you have been aware of my desire to withdraw from the active labors & constant cares of the office which I hold by your favor.

Heretofore, heretofore it has not been compatible with my ideas of duty to the public & fidelity to you, to leave my post of service for any private considerations, however urgent. Then, the fate of the nation hung, in doubt & gloom-- Even your own fate, as identified with the nation, was a source of much anxiety. Now, on the contrary, the affairs of the government display a brighter aspect; and to you, as head & leader of the government, all the honor & good fortune that we hoped for, has come. And it seems to me, under these altered circumstances, that the time has come, when I may, without dereliction of duty, ask leave to retire to private life.

In tendering the resignation of my office of Attorney General of the United States (which I now do) I gladly sieze the occasion to repeat the expression of my gratitude, not only for your good opinion which led to my appointment, but also for your uniform & unvarying courtesy & kindness during the whole time in which we have been associated in the public service. The memory of that kindness & personal favor, I shall bear with me into private life, and hope to retain it in my heart, as long as I live.

Pray let my resignation take effect on the last day of November.¹

[Note 1 Lincoln accepted Bates' resignation and tendered the office of Attorney General to Joseph Holt. Holt declined the offer and recommended the appointment of James Speed. Lincoln followed Holt's recommendation and offered the position to Speed who accepted. See Joseph Holt to Lincoln, November 30 and December 1, 1864; James Speed to Lincoln, December 1, 1864; and Collected Works, VIII, 126.]

With heartfelt respect

I remain your

friend & servant

Edwd. Bates