Letter from Abraham Lincoln

Chicago
Illinois
December 1864

Colonel E D Taylor:

I have long determined to make public the origin of the greenback and tell the world that it is one of Dick Taylor’s creations. You have always been friendly to me, and when troublous times fell upon us, and my shoulders, though broad and willing, were weak and myself surrounded by such circumstances and such people that I knew not whom to trust, then I said in my extremity, “I will send for Colonel Taylor; he will know what to do.” I think it was in January 1862, on or about the 16th, that I did so. You came, and I said to you, “What shall we do?” Said you, “Why, issue treasury notes bearing no interest, printed on the best banking paper. Issue enough to pay off the army expenses, and declare it legal tender.” Chase thought it a hazardous thing, but we finally accomplished it, and gave to the people of this Republic the greatest blessing they ever had – their own paper to pay off their own debts. It is due to you, the father of the present greenback that the people should know it, and I take great pleasure in making it known. How many times I have laughed at you telling me plainly that I was too lazy to be anything but a lawyer.

Yours truly

A Lincoln

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