Yours of the 22nd inviting me to deliver an address to the
citizens of this city upon the life of Z. Taylor, deceased, late
President of the United States, was duly received. The want of time
for preparation will make the task, for me, a very difficult one to
perform, in any degree satisfactory to others or to myself. Still I
do not feel at liberty to decline the invitation; and therefore I
will fix to-morrow as the time. The hour may be any you think
proper, after 12 o'clock M.
Your Ob't. Serv't
A. LINCOLN
Messrs. L. C. KERCHEVAL
B. S. MORRIS
GEO. W. DOLE
JOHN H. KINZIE
W. L. NEWBERRY
Formal announcement of the time and place appeared in the papers of
Thursday, July 25.