Mr. Conkling was a personal friend of the President, and the formal
letter was accompanied by the following note:
"MY DEAR CONKLING:
"I cannot leave here now. Herewith is a letter instead. You are one
of the best public readers. I have but one request--read it very
slowly and now God bless you, and all good Union men."
In spite of precautions, the letter was published in the New York
_Evening Post_ several days before the meeting.
I know as fully as one can know. The portion of the paragraph from
these words to the end was not in the original letter, but was added by
telegraph.