George Constantine to Abraham Lincoln

George Constantine to Abraham Lincoln

George Constantine presents Abraham Lincoln with a Greek translation of The Pioneer Boy, and How He Became President by William Makepeace Thayer. This letter is glued to the inside front cover of the book. The book also contains a letter from Thayer to Mary Lincoln also glued to the book's front fly leaf. The book was delayed in shipment and did not reach Lincoln before his death. Thayer forwarded the book to Mary Lincoln.

Constantine, George

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

1865-03-24

pdf

en

300047

T1865.03.24-MISC

240946

L2/T373p/1865/Greek/Vault/c.3

Athens Greece

March 24th/65

To His Excellency the President of U.S.A.

Hon Abraam Lincoln

Dear Sir

I trust you will be indulgent with us, for the sake of the Bible & of America, in attempting to teach you, now on the last score of human life, the Greek language & appoint you, while most busily engaged in America, an assistant Bibleman among the Greeks.

I was so deeply impressed with the beneficial influence of the "Pioneer Boy" that I could not rest till it was prepared for Greek readers.

The task was a grateful one inasmuch as it was at once Christian

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& patriotic; on the one hand, it tells both parents & children of every class that the Bible is the safest guide to prosperity, while on the other, it gives proper information about America. Taking advantage of the text, I have added some foot-notes stasticals & exegetical of American character & institutions, not known in the East & have also added a Supplement wherein I give a brief & comprehensive account of the causes, the prospects & the conduct of the war as well as a discription of the state of the country at the outset, besides a summary of the principal events, accomplished under your administration

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Its language is very simple that can be read by children & the price very low in order that even the poorest may purchase, as I most gratefully have given the labour.

A thousand lithographs were ordered to come from the States which came too late to be inserted in the copy I forward to your Excellency.

Please therefore accept a copy of the "Pioneer Boy" as a specimen of the Greek edition, It is accompanied with our prayers, the greatest gift & the only one a Bible man can offer for his country & its President, at times like these.

I remain yr. humble servant

Geo Constantine

A Bible-man under Am. & For. Chrst. Union

Complete

100

20

paper and ink

3 p

18 x 12 cm