Lincoln, Mary Todd. UNSIGNED HANDWRITTEN LETTER BY MARY TODD LINCOLN DATED OCTOBER 28, 1869 IN WHICH SHE REFERENCES "MY DEAR HUSBAND" AND HER SON "TADDIE." [4] pp. on two adjoining sheets of black-bordered mourning stationery, 5-3/16" x 8-1/16"; Mrs. Lincoln, living in Germany at what was a difficult and stressful time for her, writes from Frankfurt to her friend Mrs. Sally Orne as follows: "Frankfurt, Oct 28th '69, My Dear Mrs. Orne: Your very kind letter of the 24th was received last evening. Although my front finger is still encase in its wrapping & paining me, I will write you this morning. In my awkwardness in using my left hand, I have given my left thumb a terrible bruise by the door, that too is duly wrapped up so with this chapter of accidents you will suppose I am not very well prepared to write to my friends. The Dr. comes in an hour's time & I suppose he will make it all right. Now that mythical maid which both you and I would so like to make a substantial reality would so gracefully come in with her useful offices - but alas, I have fallen upon 'evil times' & I must not venture to anticipate. The little notice you so kindly enclosed me, is I believe, only the note of preparation for the coming struggle. To his friends, Col. Forney is always a true hearted champion. I have always liked him because my dear husband entertained so high an opinion of him. Will you not write to Cameron, Gen. Banks? Sen. Wilson is a very noble man & I hope you will write to him. How much work I am giving you to do, dear friend, and yet your own kind, true heart, requires no suggestions from me. . . .[D]o not forget your promise of soon returning to Germany. How I sigh for that time, when we can cosily chat for hours together. My place is near Dr. Browns, on the same street, near the railroad also - that I hope will soon bring you back - with the latter disadvantage, however I do not hear the least noise - as my modest apartments open out on a large garden - well shaded by trees. The leaves of the trees, sear & drooping like my own sad heart & blighted hopes - Have you yet placed Sallie in school? I hope Susie has been strengthened by the cool weather. Taddie is so grateful to be so kindly remembered by you all & sends his most respectful regards. Gen. Sickles is also passing through a stormy time, which I hope he may weather is safety. How grateful both himself & dear little Laura must be, to you, for your kind attentions to them. They will be of inestimable value to Laura in the future, now that she is just now growing up. Genl. is naturally kind & grateful. As your distinguished friends to whom we are now so graciously inditing our epistles - will so soon be in Wash - will it not be best to direct to them there"? The condition of the letter is NEAR FINE, with small repairs to splitting along the folds and hinge. Letter is accompanied by a "Letter of Authenticity" issued by PSA/DNA Authentication Services. Sally Orne, a friend of Mary Todd Lincoln from her Washington days, met with Mrs. Lincoln in Frankfurt, where Sally - feeling empathetic towards Mrs. Lincoln's financial struggles - offered to help with the pension bill before Congress. Mrs. Orne advocated for an increase to Mary's pension, communicating this need to those in power in Washington. The "coming struggle" referenced in the letter, largely refers to the impending pension bill. It took nine more months, but the bill was ultimately passed - on a strict party-line vote - on July 14, 1870. # 000964