Mary Motley was the daughter of John Lothrop Motley, a historian and U.S. Minister to the Austrian Empire during the Lincoln administration.
Transcript:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, May 17, 1862.
Miss Mary Motley—
A friend of yours (a young gentlemen of course) tells me you do me the honor of requesting my autograph. I could scarcely refuse any young lady—certainly not the daughter of your distinguished father. Yours truly A. Lincoln
Citation: Abraham Lincoln, autograph letter signed to Mary Motley. Washington, D.C., 17 May 1862. AMs 776/27.1