Lincoln’s original letter:

Springfield, Illinois, October 19, 1860

Miss Grace Bedell

My Dear Little Miss:–Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughter. I have three sons–one seventeen, one nine, and one seven. They with their mother constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, as I have never worn any, do you not think that people would call it a piece of silly affectation were I to begin wearing them now?

I am your true friend and sincere well-wisher,

A. Lincoln

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Text of the song:

My Dear Little Miss:–Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters. I have three sons–one seventeen, one nine, one seven years of age. They with their mother constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think that people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?

Your very sincere well-wisher,

A. Lincoln