Brooklyn May 19/60 Hon A Lincoln, My [Dea????], I sincerely regret that my absence at the South prevented our meeting upon your late visit to New York. On my return home I found your letter informing me of your contemplated visit to the East, the favorable impression of my friends & acquaintances, the prepossession of my own family & relatives together with the personal regard which I entertain would have made it peculiarly gratifying if I had had the opportunity of offering you some little attention & hospitality. I learn however that your stay was brief, & your residence while in New York not generally known. The news of your nomination reached me yesterday afternoon and I am prompted to offer you my warmest congratulations, as you have [*2746*] long been the object of my hopes, for I have an abiding faith in your success. The nomination is received here with general satisfaction. The opposition to Mr Seward among many Republicans is strong. His political connection with Thurlow Weed is one of the prominent reasons for it. Within half an hour after the receipt of the news I met three persons among my acquaintance who would not have voted for him & will vote for you. & I suppose there are probably thousands of others in this region who will do the same thing. Although unconnected with & never before an active participant in Politics I shall labor con amore in this case. As I had previously spoken of you everywhere among my friends in connection with the Presidency after my return from the West. I find myself now interrogated for information as to what I think of the nomination. Yours very truly Jno C Henshaw [*2747*] [*Henshaw*] [*May 19, 1860*] Hon Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, [*2748*] Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.