A gift and plans for a visit
Lincoln also hoped to dine with the couple and see them often during their visit. In the same letter, she thanked Wright for a wreath of hair.[1]
- Gift: Lincoln thanked Wright for a wreath of hair.
- Visit: She suggested the Willard Hotel for Wright and her husband.
- Remodeling: Work was underway at the White House.
Why did the letter have a black border?
The Library of Congress connects the letter’s black border to Mary Lincoln’s mourning for her son Willie, who had died three years earlier.[1]
Where to find the letter online
The Library of Congress acquired the 1865 letter in 2026 and made it available online. Its account of the acquisition was published on October 21, 2026. Look for the letter in the Library’s Mary Todd Lincoln Papers.[1]