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Introduction

Both the date and the brevity of this handwritten message signal trouble. The date, March 9, 1861, tells us that Abraham Lincoln, only a few days into his presidency, is beginning to grapple with his first major challenge, the crisis over Fort Sumter. The brevity of the message - “Will the Sec. of Navy please call on me at once” - indicates that the matter is urgent, and it was.  It would prove to be the coming of the Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln, autograph letter signed to Gideon Welles
Washington, D.C., 9 Mar. 1861
AMs 527/15.1

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