s that I shall be living but a _very_ short time. May
we all meet in a better world, where _such grief_ is unknown. Write me
all about yourself. I should like you to have about four black widow's
caps, just such as I had made in the fall in New York, sent to me. * * *
Of course you would not suppose, if I had you come out here and work for
me six weeks, I would not pay your expenses and pay you as you made
_each_ dress. The probability is that I shall need _few_ more clothes;
my rest, I am inclined to believe, is _near at hand_. Go to B. & K., and
have my clothes sent me without further publicity. * * * I am feeling
too weak to write more to-day. Why are you so silent? For the sake of
_humanity_, if not _me_ and my children, _do not_ have those black
clothes displayed in Europe. The thought has almost whitened every hair
of my head. Write when you receive this.

"Your friend,
M. L."

FOOTNOTE:

[Footnote C: The clothes that I have given for the benefit of
Wilberforce College. They have been deeded to Bishop Payne,
who will do with them as he thinks best, for the cause to
which they are dedicated. The letter on page 366 will explain
more fully.]

"NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 1st, 1868.

"BISHOP PAYNE, D.D.--DEAR SIR:--Allow me to donate certain valuable
relics, to be exhibited for the benefit of Wilberforce University, where
my son was educated, and whose life was sacrificed for liberty. These
sacred relics were presented to me by Mrs. Lincoln, after the
assassination of our beloved President. Learning that you were
struggling to get means to complete the college that was burned on the
day our great emancipator was assassinated, prompted me to donate, in
trust to J. P. Ball (agent for Wilberforce College), the identical cloak
and bonnet worn by Mrs. Lincoln on that eventful night. On the cloak can
be seen the life-blood of Abraham Lincoln. This cloak could not be
purchased from me, though many have been the offers for it. I deemed it
too _sacred_ to sell, but donate it for the cause of educating the four
millions of slaves liberated by our President, whose private character I
revere. You well know that I had every chance to learn the true man,
being constantly in the White House during his whole administration. I
also donate the glove[D] worn on his precious hand at the last inaugural
reception. This glove bears the marks of thousands who shook his hand on
that last and great occasion. This, and many