第5章

REMARKSINTHEILLINOISLEGISLATURE。

December4，1840。

IntheIllinoisHouseofRepresentatives，December4，1840，HouseinCommitteeoftheWholeonthebillprovidingforpaymentofinterestontheStatedebt，——Mr。Lincolnmovedtostrikeoutthebodyandamendmentsofthebill，andinsertinlieuthereofanamendmentwhichinsubstancewasthatthegovernorbeauthorizedtoissuebondsforthepaymentoftheinterest；thatthesebecalled"interestbonds"；thatthetaxesaccruingonCongresslandsastheybecometaxablebeirrevocablysetasideanddevotedasafundtothepaymentoftheinterestbonds。Mr。LincolnwentintothereasonswhichappearedtohimtorenderthisplanpreferabletothatofhypothecatingtheStatebonds。BythiscoursewecouldgetalongtillthenextmeetingoftheLegislature，whichwasofgreatimportance。Totheobjectionwhichmightbeurgedthattheseinterestbondscouldnotbecashed，herepliedthatifourotherbondscould，muchmorecouldthese，whichofferedaperfectsecurity，afundbeingirrevocablysetasidetoprovidefortheirredemption。Toanotherobjection，thatweshouldbepayingcompoundinterest，hewouldreplythattherapidgrowthandincreaseofourresourceswasinsogreataratioastooutstripthedifficulty；thathisobjectwastodothebestthatcouldbedoneinthepresentemergency。AllagreedthatthefaithoftheStatemustbepreserved；thisplanappearedtohimpreferabletoahypothecationofbonds，whichwouldhavetoberedeemedandtheinterestpaid。Howthiswastobedone，hecouldnotsee；thereforehehad，afterturningthematteroverineveryway，devisedthismeasure，whichwouldcarryusontillthenextLegislature。

(Mr。Lincolnspokeatsomelength，advocatinghismeasure。)

Lincolnadvocatedhismeasure，December11，1840。

December12，1840，hehadthoughtsomepermanentprovisionoughttobemadeforthebondstobehypothecated，butwassatisfiedtaxationandrevenuecouldnotbeconnectedwithitnow。

1841

TOJOHNT。STUART——ONDEPRESSION

SPRINGFIELD，Jan23，1841

DEARSTUART：

Iamnowthemostmiserablemanliving。IfwhatIfeelwereequallydistributedtothewholehumanfamily，therewouldnotbeonecheerfulfaceonearth。WhetherIshalleverbebetter，I

cannottell；IawfullyforbodeIshallnot。ToremainasIamisimpossible。Imustdieorbebetter，asitappearstome……

IfearIshallbeunabletoattendanybusinesshere，andachangeofscenemighthelpme。IfIcouldbemyself，IwouldratherremainathomewithJudgeLogan。Icanwritenomore。

REMARKSINTHEILLINOISLEGISLATURE。

January23，1841

IntheHouseofRepresentativesJanuary23，1841，whilediscussingthecontinuationoftheIllinoisandMichiganCanal，Mr。Moorewasafraidtheholdersofthe"scrip"wouldlose。

Mr。Napierthoughttherewasnodangerofthat；andMr。Lincolnsaidhehadnotexaminedtoseewhatamountofscripwouldprobablybeneeded。Theprincipalpointinhismindwasthis，thatnobodywasobligedtotakethesecertificates。Itisaltogethervoluntaryontheirpart，andiftheyapprehenditwillfallintheirhandstheywillnottakeit。Furthertheloss，ifanytherebe，willfallonthecitizensofthatsectionofthecountry。

Thisscripisnotgoingtocirculateoveranextensiverangeofcountry，butwillbeconfinedchieflytothevicinityofthecanal。Now，wefindtherepresentativesofthatsectionofthecountryareallinfavorofthebill。

Whenweproposetoprotecttheirinterests，theysaytous：Leaveustotakecareofourselves；wearewillingtoruntherisk。

Andthisisreasonable；wemustsupposetheyarecompetenttoprotecttheirowninterests，anditisonlyfairtoletthemdoit。

CIRCULARFROMWHIGCOMMITTEE。

February9，1841。

AppealtothePeopleoftheStateofIllinois。

FELLOW—CITIZENS：——WhentheGeneralAssembly，nowaboutadjourning，assembledinNovemberlast，fromthebankruptstateofthepublictreasury，thepecuniaryembarrassmentsprevailingineverydepartmentofsociety，thedilapidatedstateofthepublicworks，andtheimpendingdangerofthedegradationoftheState，youhadarighttoexpectthatyourrepresentativeswouldlosenotimeindevisingandadoptingmeasurestoavertthreatenedcalamities，alleviatethedistressesofthepeople，andallaythefearfulapprehensionsinregardtothefutureprosperityoftheState。ItwasnotexpectedbyyouthatthespiritofpartywouldtaketheleadinthecouncilsoftheState，andmakeeveryinterestbendtoitsdemands。Norwasitexpectedthatanypartywouldassumetoitselftheentirecontroloflegislation，andconvertthemeansandofficesoftheState，andthesubstanceofthepeople，intoalimentforpartysubsistence。

Neithercouldithavebeenexpectedbyyouthatpartyspirit，howeverstrongitsdesiresandunreasonableitsdemands，wouldhavepassedthesanctuaryoftheConstitution，andenteredwithitsunhallowedandhideousformintotheformationofthejudiciarysystem。

Attheearlyperiodofthesession，measureswereadoptedbythedominantpartytotakepossessionoftheState，tofillallpublicofficeswithpartymen，andmakeeverymeasureaffectingtheinterestsofthepeopleandthecreditoftheStateoperateinfurtheranceoftheirpartyviews。Themeritsofmenandmeasuresthereforebecamethesubjectofdiscussionincaucus，insteadofthehallsoflegislation，anddecisionstheremadebyaminorityoftheLegislaturehavebeenexecutedandcarriedintoeffectbytheforceofpartydiscipline，withoutanyregardwhatevertotherightsofthepeopleortheinterestsoftheState。TheSupremeCourtoftheStatewasorganized，andjudgesappointed，accordingtotheprovisionsoftheConstitution，in1824。Thepeoplehavenevercomplainedoftheorganizationofthatcourt；noattempthaseverbeforebeenmadetochangethatdepartment。Respectforpublicopinion，andregardfortherightsandlibertiesofthepeople，havehithertorestrainedthespiritofpartyfromattacksupontheindependenceandintegrityofthejudiciary。Thesamejudgeshavecontinuedinofficesince1824；theirdecisionshavenotbeenthesubjectofcomplaintamongthepeople；theintegrityandhonestyofthecourthavenotbeenquestioned，andithasneverbeensupposedthatthecourthaseverpermittedpartyprejudiceorpartyconsiderationstooperateupontheirdecisions。Thecourtwasmadetoconsistoffourjudges，andbytheConstitutiontwoformaquorumforthetransactionofbusiness。Withthistribunal，thusconstituted，thepeoplehavebeensatisfiedfornearsixteenyears。ThesamelawwhichorganizedtheSupremeCourtin1824alsoestablishedandorganizedcircuitcourtstobeheldineachcountyintheState，andfivecircuitjudgeswereappointedtoholdthosecourts。In1826theLegislatureabolishedthesecircuitcourts，repealedthejudgesoutofoffice，andrequiredthejudgesoftheSupremeCourttoholdthecircuitcourts。Thereasonsassignedforthischangewere，first，thatthebusinessofthecountrycouldbebetterattendedtobythefourjudgesoftheSupremeCourtthanbythetwosetsofjudges；and，second，thestateofthepublictreasuryforbadetheemploymentofunnecessaryofficers。In1828acircuitwasestablishednorthoftheIllinoisRiver，inordertomeetthewantsofthepeople，andacircuitjudgewasappointedtoholdthecourtsinthatcircuit。

In1834thecircuit—courtsystemwasagainestablishedthroughouttheState，circuitjudgesappointedtoholdthecourts，andthejudgesoftheSupremeCourtwererelievedfromtheperformanceofcircuitcourtduties。ThechangewasrecommendedbythethenactinggovernoroftheState，GeneralW。L。D。Ewing，inthefollowingterms：

"TheaugmentedpopulationoftheState，themultipliednumberoforganizedcounties，aswellastheincreaseofbusinessinall，haslongsinceconvincedeveryoneconversantwiththisdepartmentofourgovernmentoftheindispensablenecessityofanalterationinourjudiciarysystem，andthesubjectisthereforerecommendedtotheearnestpatrioticconsiderationoftheLegislature。Thepresentsystemhasneverbeenexemptfromseriousandweightyobjections。TheideaofappealingfromthecircuitcourttothesamejudgesintheSupremeCourtisrecommendedbylittlehopesofredresstotheinjuredpartybelow。Thedutiesofthecircuit，too，itmaybeadded，consumeonehalfoftheyear，leavingasmallandinadequateportionoftime(whenthatrequiredfordomesticpurposesisdeducted)toerect，inthedecisionsoftheSupremeCourt，ajudicialmonumentoflegallearningandresearch，whichthetalentandabilityofthecourtmightotherwisebeentirelycompetentto。"

Withthisorganizationofcircuitcourtsthepeoplehavenevercomplained。Theonlycomplaintswhichwehaveheardhavecomefromcircuitswhichweresolargethatthejudgescouldnotdisposeofthebusiness，andthecircuitsinwhichJudgesPearsonandRalstonlatelypresided。

WhilstthehonorandcreditoftheStatedemandedlegislationuponthesubjectofthepublicdebt，thecanal，theunfinishedpublicworks，andtheembarrassmentsofthepeople，thejudiciarystooduponabasiswhichrequirednochange——nolegislativeaction。Yetthepartyinpower，neglectingeveryinterestrequiringlegislativeaction，andwhollydisregardingtherights，wishes，andinterestsofthepeople，has，fortheunholypurposeofprovidingplacesforitspartisansandsupplyingthemwithlargesalaries，disorganizedthatdepartmentofthegovernment。

ProvisionismadefortheelectionoffivepartyjudgesoftheSupremeCourt，theproscriptionoffourcircuitjudges，andtheappointmentofpartyclerksinmorethanhalfthecountiesoftheState。Menprofessingrespectforpublicopinion，andacknowledgedtobeleadersoftheparty，haveavowedinthehallsoflegislationthatthechangeinthejudiciarywasintendedtoproducepoliticalresultsfavorabletotheirpartyandpartyfriends。Theimmutableprinciplesofjusticearetomakewayforpartyinterests，andthebondsofsocialorderaretoberentintwain，inorderthatadesperatefactionmaybesustainedattheexpenseofthepeople。Thechangeproposedinthejudiciarywassupportedupongroundssodestructivetotheinstitutionsofthecountry，andsoentirelyatwarwiththerightsandlibertiesofthepeople，thatthepartycouldnotsecureentireunanimityinitssupport，threeDemocratsoftheSenateandfiveoftheHousevotingagainstthemeasure。Theywereunwillingtoseethetemplesofjusticeandtheseatsofindependentjudgesoccupiedbythetoolsoffaction。Thedeclarationsofthepartyleaders，theselectionofpartymenforjudges，andthetotaldisregardforthepublicwillintheadoptionofthemeasure，proveconclusivelythattheobjecthasbeennotreform，butdestruction；nottheadvancementofthehighestinterestsoftheState，butthepredominanceofparty。

Wecannotinthismannerundertaketopointoutalltheobjectionstothispartymeasure；wepresentyouwiththosestatedbytheCouncilofRevisionuponreturningthebill，andweaskforthemacandidconsideration。

Believingthattheindependenceofthejudiciaryhasbeendestroyed，thathereafterourcourtswillbeindependentofthepeople，andentirelydependentupontheLegislature；thatourrightsofpropertyandlibertyofconsciencecannolongerberegardedassafefromtheencroachmentsofunconstitutionallegislation；andknowingofnootherremedywhichcanbeadoptedconsistentlywiththepeaceandgoodorderofsociety，wecalluponyoutoavailyourselvesoftheopportunityafforded，and，atthenextgeneralelection，voteforaconventionofthepeople。

S。H。LITTLE，E。D。BAKER，J。J。HARDIN，E。B。WEBS，A。LINCOLN，J。GILLESPIE，CommitteeonbehalfoftheWhigmembersoftheLegislature。

EXTRACTFROMAPROTESTINTHEILLINOISLEGISLATUREAGAINSTTHE

REORGANIZATIONOFTHEJUDICIARY。

February26，1841

Forthereasonsthuspresented，andforothersnolessapparent，theundersignedcannotassenttothepassageofthebill，orpermitittobecomealaw，withoutthisevidenceoftheirdisapprobation；andtheynowprotestagainstthereorganizationofthejudiciary，because——(1)ItviolatesthegreatprinciplesoffreegovernmentbysubjectingthejudiciarytotheLegislature。(2)Itisafatalblowattheindependenceofthejudgesandtheconstitutionaltermoftheiroffice。(3)Itisameasurenotaskedfor，orwishedfor，bythepeople。(4)Itwillgreatlyincreasetheexpenseofourcourts，orelsegreatlydiminishtheirutility。(5)Itwillgiveourcourtsapoliticalandpartisancharacter，therebyimpairingpublicconfidenceintheirdecisions。(6)ItwillimpairourstandingwithotherStatesandtheworld。(7)Itisapartymeasureforpartypurposes，fromwhichnopracticalgoodtothepeoplecanpossiblyarise，butwhichmaybethesourceofimmeasurableevils。

Theundersignedarewellawarethatthisprotestwillbealtogetherunavailingwiththemajorityofthisbody。Theblowhasalreadyfallen，andwearecompelledtostandby，themournfulspectatorsoftheruinitwillcause。

[Signedby35members，amongwhomwasAbrahamLincoln。]

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED——MURDERCASE

SPRINGFIELDJune19，1841。

DEARSPEED：——Wehavehadthehigheststateofexcitementhereforaweekpastthatourcommunityhaseverwitnessed；and，althoughthepublicfeelingissomewhatallayed，thecuriousaffairwhicharouseditisveryfarfrombeingevenyetclearedofmystery。

Itwouldtakeaquireofpapertogiveyouanythinglikeafullaccountofit，andIthereforeonlyproposeabriefoutline。ThechiefpersonagesinthedramaareArchibaldFisher，supposedtobemurdered，andArchibaldTrailor，HenryTrailor，andWilliamTrailor，supposedtohavemurderedhim。ThethreeTrailorsarebrothers：thefirst，Arch。，asyouknow，livesintown；thesecond，Henry，inClary’sGrove；andthethird，William，inWarrenCounty；andFisher，thesupposedmurdered，beingwithoutafamily，hadmadehishomewithWilliam。OnSaturdayevening，beingthe29thofMay，FisherandWilliamcametoHenry’sinaone—horsedearborn，andtherestayedoverSunday；andonMondayallthreecametoSpringfield(Henryonhorseback)andjoinedArchibaldatMyers’s，theDutchcarpenter。ThateveningatsupperFisherwasmissing，andsonextmorningsomeineffectualsearchwasmadeforhim；andonTuesday，atoneo’clockP。M。，WilliamandHenrystartedhomewithouthim。InadayortwoHenryandoneortwoofhisClary—Groveneighborscamebackforhimagain，andadvertisedhisdisappearanceinthepapers。Theknowledgeofthematterthusfarhadnotbeengeneral，andhereitdroppedentirely，tillaboutthe10thinstant，whenKeysreceivedaletterfromthepostmasterinWarrenCounty，thatWilliamhadarrivedathome，andwastellingaverymysteriousandimprobablestoryaboutthedisappearanceofFisher，whichinducedthecommunitytheretosupposehehadbeendisposedofunfairly。Keysmadethisletterpublic，whichimmediatelysetthewholetownandadjoiningcountyagog。Andsoithascontinueduntilyesterday。Themassofthepeoplecommencedasystematicsearchforthedeadbody，whileWickershamwasdespatchedtoarrestHenryTrailorattheGrove，andJimMaxcytoWarrentoarrestWilliam。OnMondaylast，Henrywasbroughtin，andshowedanevidentinclinationtoinsinuatethatheknewFishertobedead，andthatArch。andWilliamhadkilledhim。

HesaidheguessedthebodycouldbefoundinSpringCreek，betweentheBeardstownroadandHickox’smill。Awaythepeoplesweptlikeaherdofbuffalo，andcutdownHickox’smill—damnolensvolens，todrawthewateroutofthepond，andthenwentupanddownanddownandupthecreek，fishingandraking，andrakingandduckinganddivingfortwodays，and，afterall，nodeadbodyfound。

Inthemeantimeasortofscuffling—groundhadbeenfoundinthebrushintheangle，orpoint，wheretheroadleadingintothewoodspastthebreweryandtheoneleadinginpastthebrick—yardmeet。Fromthescuffle—groundwasthesignofsomethingaboutthesizeofamanhavingbeendraggedtotheedgeofthethicket，whereitjoinedthetrackofsomesmall—wheeledcarriagedrawnbyonehorse，asshownbytheroad—tracks。Thecarriage—trackledofftowardSpringCreek。Nearthisdrag—trailDr。Merrymanfoundtwohairs，which，afteralongscientificexamination，hepronouncedtobetriangularhumanhairs，whichterm，hesays，includeswithinitthewhiskers，thehairgrowingunderthearmsandonotherpartsofthebody；andhejudgedthatthesetwowereofthewhiskers，becausetheendswerecut，showingthattheyhadflourishedintheneighborhoodoftherazor’soperations。OnThursdaylastJimMaxcybroughtinWilliamTrailorfromWarren。

OnthesamedayArch。wasarrestedandputinjail。Yesterday(Friday)WilliamwasputuponhisexaminingtrialbeforeMayandLovely。ArchibaldandHenrywerebothpresent。Lambornprosecuted，andLogan，Baker，andyourhumbleservantdefended。

Agreatmanywitnesseswereintroducedandexamined，butIshallonlymentionthosewhosetestimonyseemedmostimportant。ThefirstofthesewasCaptainRansdell。HesworethatwhenWilliamandHenryleftSpringfieldforhomeonTuesdaybeforementionedtheydidnottakethedirectroute，——which，youknow，leadsbythebutchershop，——butthattheyfollowedthestreetnorthuntiltheygotopposite，ornearlyopposite，May’snewhouse，afterwhichhecouldnotseethemfromwherehestood；anditwasafterwardsprovedthatinaboutanhouraftertheystarted，theycameintothestreetbythebutchershopfromtowardthebrick—

yard。Dr。Merrymanandotherssworetowhatisstatedaboutthescuffle—ground，drag—trail，whiskers，andcarriagetracks。Henrywasthenintroducedbytheprosecution。Hesworethatwhentheystartedforhometheywentoutnorth，asRansdellstated，andturneddownwestbythebrick—yardintothewoods，andtheremetArchibald；thattheyproceededasmalldistancefarther，whenhewasplacedasasentineltowatchforandannouncetheapproachofanyonethatmighthappenthatway；thatWilliamandArch。

tookthedearbornoutoftheroadasmalldistancetotheedgeofthethicket，wheretheystopped，andhesawthemliftthebodyofamanintoit；thattheythenmovedoffwiththecarriageinthedirectionofHickox’smill，andheloiteredaboutforsomethinglikeanhour，whenWilliamreturnedwiththecarriage，butwithoutArch。，andsaidtheyhadputhiminasafeplace；thattheywentsomehowhedidnotknowexactlyhow——intotheroadclosetothebrewery，andproceededontoClary’sGrove。HealsostatedthatsometimeduringthedayWilliamtoldhimthatheandArch。hadkilledFishertheeveningbefore；thatthewaytheydiditwasbyhimWilliamknockinghimdownwithaclub，andArch。thenchokinghimtodeath。

AnoldmanfromWarren，calledDr。Gilmore，wasthenintroducedonthepartofthedefense。HesworethathehadknownFisherforseveralyears；thatFisherhadresidedathishousealongtimeateachoftwodifferentspells——oncewhilehebuiltabarnforhim，andoncewhilehewasdoctoredforsomechronicdisease；

thattwoorthreeyearsagoFisherhadaserioushurtinhisheadbytheburstingofagun，sincewhichhehadbeensubjecttocontinuedbadhealthandoccasionalaberrationofmind。HealsostatedthatonlastTuesday，beingthesamedaythatMaxcyarrestedWilliamTrailor，he(thedoctor)wasfromhomeintheearlypartoftheday，andonhisreturn，abouteleveno’clock，foundFisherathishouseinbed，andapparentlyveryunwell；

thatheaskedhimhowhecamefromSpringfield；thatFishersaidhehadcomebyPeoria，andalsotoldofseveralotherplaceshehadbeenatmoreinthedirectionofPeoria，whichshowedthatheatthetimeofspeakingdidnotknowwherehehadbeenwanderingaboutinastateofderangement。HefurtherstatedthatinabouttwohourshereceivedanotefromoneofTrailor’sfriends，advisinghimofhisarrest，andrequestinghimtogoontoSpringfieldasawitness，totestifyastothestateofFisher’shealthinformertimes；thatheimmediatelysetoff，callinguptwoofhisneighborsascompany，and，ridingalleveningandallnight，overtookMaxcyandWilliamatLewistoninFultonCounty；

thatMaxcyrefusingtodischargeTrailoruponhisstatement，histwoneighborsreturnedandhecameontoSpringfield。Somequestionbeingmadeastowhetherthedoctor’sstorywasnotafabrication，severalacquaintancesofhis(amongwhomwasthesamepostmasterwhowroteKeys，asbeforementioned)wereintroducedassortofcompurgators，whosworethattheyknewthedoctortobeofgoodcharacterfortruthandveracity，andgenerallyofgoodcharacterineveryway。

Herethetestimonyended，andtheTrailorsweredischarged，Arch。

andWilliamexpressingbothinwordandmannertheirentireconfidencethatFisherwouldbefoundaliveatthedoctor’sbyGalloway，Mallory，andMyers，whoadaybeforehadbeendespatchedforthatpurpose；whichHenrystillprotestedthatnopoweronearthcouldevershowFisheralive。Thusstandsthiscuriousaffair。Whenthedoctor’sstorywasfirstmadepublic，itwasamusingtoscanandcontemplatethecountenancesandheartheremarksofthosewhohadbeenactivelyinsearchforthedeadbody：somelookedquizzical，somemelancholy，andsomefuriouslyangry。Porter，whohadbeenveryactive，sworehealwaysknewthemanwasnotdead，andthathehadnotstirredaninchtohuntforhim；Langford，whohadtakentheleadincuttingdownHickox’smill—dam，andwantedtohangHickoxforobjecting，lookedmostawfullywoebegone：heseemedthe"victimofunrequitedaffection，"asrepresentedinthecomicalmanacsweusedtolaughover；andHart，thelittledraymanthathauledMollyhomeonce，saiditwastoodamnedbadtohavesomuchtrouble，andnohangingafterall。

Icommencedthisletteronyesterday，sincewhichIreceivedyoursofthe13th。IsticktomypromisetocometoLouisville。

NothingnewhereexceptwhatIhavewritten。Ihavenotseen_____sincemylasttrip，andIamgoingoutthereassoonasI

mailthisletter。

Yoursforever，LINCOLN。

STATEMENTABOUTHARRYWILTON。

June25，1841

IthavingbeenchargedinsomeofthepublicprintsthatHarryWilton，lateUnitedStatesmarshalforthedistrictofIllinois，hadusedhisofficeforpoliticaleffect，intheappointmentofdeputiesforthetakingofthecensusfortheyear1840，we，theundersigned，werecalleduponbyMr。Wiltontoexaminethepapersinhispossessionrelativetotheseappointments，andtoascertaintherefromthecorrectnessorincorrectnessofsuchcharge。WeaccompaniedMr。Wiltontoaroom，andexaminedthematterasfullyaswecouldwiththemeansaffordedus。Theonlysourcesofinformationbearingonthesubjectwhichweresubmittedtousweretheletters，etc。，recommendingandopposingthevariousappointmentsmade，andMr。Wilton’sverbalstatementsconcerningthesame。Fromtheseletters，etc。，itappearsthatinsomeinstancesappointmentsweremadeinaccordancewiththerecommendationsofleadingWhigs，andinoppositiontothoseofleadingDemocrats；amongwhichinstancestheappointmentsatScott，Wayne，Madison，andLawrencearethestrongest。AccordingtoMr。Wilton’sstatementoftheseventy—sixappointmentsweexamined，fifty—fourwereofDemocrats，elevenofWhigs，andelevenofunknownpolitics。

ThechiefgroundofcomplaintagainstMr。Wilton，aswehadunderstoodit，wasbecauseofhisappointmentofsomanyDemocraticcandidatesfortheLegislature，thusgivingthemadecidedadvantageovertheirWhigopponents；andconsequentlyourattentionwasdirectedratherparticularlytothatpoint。Wefoundthatthereweremanysuchappointments，amongwhichwerethoseinTazewell，McLean，Iroquois，Coles，Menard，Wayne，Washington，Fayette，etc。；andwedidnotlearnthattherewasoneinstanceinwhichaWhigcandidatefortheLegislaturehadbeenappointed。Therewasnowrittenevidencebeforeusshowingusatwhattimethoseappointmentsweremade；butMr。WiltonstatedthattheyallwithoneexceptionweremadebeforethoseappointedbecamecandidatesfortheLegislature，andtheletters，etc。，recommendingthemallbeardatebefore，andmostofthemlongbefore，thoseappointedwerepubliclyannouncedcandidates。

Wegivetheforegoingnakedfactsanddrawnoconclusionsfromthem。

BEND。S。EDWARDS，A。LINCOLN。

TOMISSMARYSPEED——PRACTICALSLAVERY

BLOOMINGTON，ILL。，September27，1841。

MissMarySpeed，Louisville，Ky。

MYFRIEND：

Bytheway，afineexamplewaspresentedonboardtheboatforcontemplatingtheeffectofconditionuponhumanhappiness。A

gentlemanhadpurchasedtwelvenegroesindifferentpartsofKentucky，andwastakingthemtoafarmintheSouth。Theywerechainedsixandsixtogether。Asmallironcleviswasaroundtheleftwristofeach，andthisfastenedtothemainchainbyashorterone，ataconvenientdistancefromtheothers，sothatthenegroeswerestrungtogetherpreciselylikesomanyfishuponatrotline。Inthisconditiontheywerebeingseparatedforeverfromthescenesoftheirchildhood，theirfriends，theirfathersandmothers，andbrothersandsisters，andmanyofthemfromtheirwivesandchildren，andgoingintoperpetualslaverywherethelashofthemasterisproverbiallymoreruthlessandunrelentingthananyotherwhere；andyetamidallthesedistressingcircumstances，aswewouldthinkthem，theywerethemostcheerfulandapparentlyhappycreaturesonboard。One，whoseoffenceforwhichhehadbeensoldwasanoverfondnessforhiswife，playedthefiddlealmostcontinually，andtheothersdanced，sang，crackedjokes，andplayedvariousgameswithcardsfromdaytoday。Howtrueitisthat’Godtempersthewindtotheshornlamb，’orinotherwords，thatherenderstheworstofhumanconditionstolerable，whilehepermitsthebesttobenothingbetterthantolerable。Toreturntothenarrative：WhenwereachedSpringfieldIstayedbutoneday，whenIstartedonthistediouscircuitwhereInowam。Doyouremembermygoingtothecity，whileIwasinKentucky，tohaveatoothextracted，andmakingafailureofit？Well，thatsameoldtoothgottopainingmesomuchthataboutaweeksinceIhadittornout，bringingwithitabitofthejawbone，theconsequenceofwhichisthatmymouthisnowsosorethatIcanneithertalknoreat。

Yoursincerefriend，A。LINCOLN。

1842

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED——ONMARRIAGE

January3？，1842。

MYDEARSPEED：——Feeling，asyouknowIdo，thedeepestsolicitudeforthesuccessoftheenterpriseyouareengagedin，IadoptthisasthelastmethodIcanadopttoaidyou，incase(whichGodforbid！)youshallneedanyaid。IdonotplacewhatIamgoingtosayonpaperbecauseIcansayitbetterthatwaythanI

couldbywordofmouth，but，wereItosayitorallybeforewepart，mostlikelyyouwouldforgetitattheverytimewhenitmightdoyousomegood。AsIthinkitreasonablethatyouwillfeelverybadlysometimebetweenthisandthefinalconsummationofyourpurpose，itisintendedthatyoushallreadthisjustatsuchatime。WhyIsayitisreasonablethatyouwillfeelverybadlyyet，isbecauseofthreespecialcausesaddedtothegeneralonewhichIshallmention。

Thegeneralcauseis，thatyouarenaturallyofanervoustemperament；andthisIsayfromwhatIhaveseenofyoupersonally，andwhatyouhavetoldmeconcerningyourmotheratvarioustimes，andconcerningyourbrotherWilliamatthetimehiswifedied。Thefirstspecialcauseisyourexposuretobadweatheronyourjourney，whichmyexperienceclearlyprovestobeverysevereondefectivenerves。Thesecondistheabsenceofallbusinessandconversationoffriends，whichmightdivertyourmind，giveitoccasionalrestfromtheintensityofthoughtwhichwillsometimeswearthesweetestideathreadbareandturnittothebitternessofdeath。Thethirdistherapidandnearapproachofthatcrisisonwhichallyourthoughtsandfeelingsconcentrate。

Iffromallthesecausesyoushallescapeandgothroughtriumphantly，withoutanother"twingeofthesoul，"Ishallbemosthappilybutmostegregiouslydeceived。If，onthecontrary，youshall，asIexpectyouwillatsometime，beagonizedanddistressed，letme，whohavesomereasontospeakwithjudgmentonsuchasubject，beseechyoutoascribeittothecausesIhavementioned，andnottosomefalseandruinoussuggestionoftheDevil。

"But，"youwillsay，"donotyourcausesapplytoeveryoneengagedinalikeundertaking？"Bynomeans。Theparticularcauses，toagreaterorlessextent，perhapsdoapplyinallcases；butthegeneralone，——nervousdebility，whichisthekeyandconductorofalltheparticularones，andwithoutwhichtheywouldbeutterlyharmless，——thoughitdoespertaintoyou，doesnotpertaintooneinathousand。Itisoutofthisthatthepainfuldifferencebetweenyouandthemassoftheworldsprings。

Iknowwhatthepainfulpointwithyouisatalltimeswhenyouareunhappy；itisanapprehensionthatyoudonotloveherasyoushould。Whatnonsense！Howcameyoutocourther？Wasitbecauseyouthoughtshedeservedit，andthatyouhadgivenherreasontoexpectit？IfitwasforthatwhydidnotthesamereasonmakeyoucourtAnnTodd，andatleasttwentyothersofwhomyoucanthink，andtowhomitwouldapplywithgreaterforcethantoher？Didyoucourtherforherwealth？Why，youknowshehadnone。Butyousayyoureasonedyourselfintoit。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Wasitnotthatyoufoundyourselfunabletoreasonyourselfoutofit？Didyounotthink，andpartlyformthepurpose，ofcourtingherthefirsttimeyoueversawherorheardofher？Whathadreasontodowithitatthatearlystage？Therewasnothingatthattimeforreasontoworkupon。Whethershewasmoral，amiable，sensible，orevenofgoodcharacter，youdidnot，norcouldthenknow，except，perhaps，youmightinferthelastfromthecompanyyoufoundherin。

Allyouthendidorcouldknowofherwasherpersonalappearanceanddeportment；andthese，iftheyimpressatall，impresstheheart，andnotthehead。

Saycandidly，werenotthoseheavenlyblackeyesthewholebasisofallyourearlyreasoningonthesubject？AfteryouandIhadoncebeenattheresidence，didyounotgoandtakemeallthewaytoLexingtonandback，fornootherpurposebuttogettoseeheragain，onourreturnonthateveningtotakeatripforthatexpressobject？Whatearthlyconsiderationwouldyoutaketofindherscoutinganddespisingyou，andgivingherselfuptoanother？

Butofthisyouhavenoapprehension；andthereforeyoucannotbringithometoyourfeelings。

IshallbesoanxiousaboutyouthatIshallwantyoutowritebyeverymail。Yourfriend，LINCOLN。

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED。

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，February3，1842。

DEARSPEED：——Yourletterofthe25thJanuarycametohandto—day。

YouwellknowthatIdonotfeelmyownsorrowsmuchmorekeenlythanIdoyours，whenIknowofthem；andyetIassureyouIwasnotmuchhurtbywhatyouwrotemeofyourexcessivelybadfeelingatthetimeyouwrote。NotthatIamlesscapableofsympathizingwithyounowthanever，notthatIamlessyourfriendthanever，butbecauseIhopeandbelievethatyourpresentanxietyanddistressaboutherhealthandherlifemustandwillforeverbanishthosehorriddoubtswhichIknowyousometimesfeltastothetruthofyouraffectionforher。Iftheycanonceandforeverberemoved(andIalmostfeelapresentimentthattheAlmightyhassentyourpresentafflictionexpresslyforthatobject)，surelynothingcancomeintheirsteadtofilltheirimmeasurablemeasureofmisery。Thedeath—

scenesofthosewelovearesurelypainfulenough；butthesewearepreparedforandexpecttosee：theyhappentoall，andallknowtheymusthappen。Painfulastheyare，theyarenotanunlookedforsorrow。Shouldshe，asyoufear，bedestinedtoanearlygrave，itisindeedagreatconsolationtoknowthatsheissowellpreparedtomeetit。Herreligion，whichyouoncedislikedsomuch，Iwillventureyounowprizemosthighly。ButIhopeyourmelancholybodingsastoherearlydeatharenotwellfounded。Ievenhopethaterethisreachesyoushewillhavereturnedwithimprovedandstillimprovinghealth，andthatyouwillhavemether，andforgottenthesorrowsofthepastintheenjoymentsofthepresent。IwouldsaymoreifIcould，butitseemsthatIhavesaidenough。Itreallyappearstomethatyouyourselfoughttorejoice，andnotsorrow，atthisindubitableevidenceofyourundyingaffectionforher。Why，Speed，ifyoudidnotloveheralthoughyoumightnotwishherdeath，youwouldmostcertainlyberesignedtoit。Perhapsthispointisnolongeraquestionwithyou，andmypertinaciousdwellinguponitisarudeintrusionuponyourfeelings。Ifso，youmustpardonme。YouknowthehellIhavesufferedonthatpoint，andhowtenderIamuponit。YouknowIdonotmeanwrong。Ihavebeenquiteclearof"hypo"sinceyouleft，evenbetterthanIwasalonginthefall。Ihaveseen______butonce。Sheseemedverycheerful，andsoIsaidnothingtoheraboutwhatwespokeof。

OldUncleBillyHerndonisdead，anditissaidthiseveningthatUncleBenFergusonwillnotlive。This，Ibelieve，isallthenews，andenoughatthatunlessitwerebetter。Writemeimmediatelyonthereceiptofthis。Yourfriend，asever，LINCOLN。

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED——ONDEPRESSION

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，February13，1842。

DEARSPEED：——Yoursofthe1stinstantcametohandthreeorfourdaysago。Whenthisshallreachyou，youwillhavebeenFanny’shusbandseveraldays。Youknowmydesiretobefriendyouiseverlasting；thatIwillneverceasewhileIknowhowtodoanything。ButyouwillalwayshereafterbeongroundthatIhaveneveroccupied，andconsequently，ifadvicewereneeded，Imightadvisewrong。Idofondlyhope，however，thatyouwillneveragainneedanycomfortfromabroad。ButshouldIbemistakeninthis，shouldexcessivepleasurestillbeaccompaniedwithapainfulcounterpartattimes，stillletmeurgeyou，asIhaveeverdone，toremember，inthedepthandevenagonyofdespondency，thatveryshortlyyouaretofeelwellagain。Iamnowfullyconvincedthatyouloveherasardentlyasyouarecapableofloving。Youreverbeinghappyinherpresence，andyourintenseanxietyaboutherhealth，iftherewerenothingelse，wouldplacethisbeyondalldisputeinmymind。Iinclinetothinkitprobablethatyournerveswillfailyouoccasionallyforawhile；butonceyougetthemfirmlyguardednowthattroubleisoverforever。Ithink，ifIwereyou，incasemymindwerenotexactlyright，Iwouldavoidbeingidle。Iwouldimmediatelyengageinsomebusiness，orgotomakingpreparationsforit，whichwouldbethesamething。Ifyouwentthroughtheceremonycalmly，orevenwithsufficientcomposurenottoexcitealarminanypresent，youaresafebeyondquestion，andintwoorthreemonths，tosaythemost，willbethehappiestofmen。

IwoulddesireyoutogivemyparticularrespectstoFanny；butperhapsyouwillnotwishhertoknowyouhavereceivedthis，lestsheshoulddesiretoseeit。Makeherwritemeananswertomylastlettertoher；atanyrateIwouldsetgreatvalueuponanoteorletterfromher。Writemewheneveryouhaveleisure。

Yoursforever，A。LINCOLN。

P。S。——Ihavebeenquiteamansinceyouleft。

TOG。B。SHELEDY。

SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，Feb。16，1842。

G。B。SHELEDY，ESQ。：

Yoursofthe10thisdulyreceived。JudgeLoganandmyselfaredoingbusinesstogethernow，andwearewillingtoattendtoyourcasesasyoupropose。Astotheterms，wearewillingtoattendeachcaseyouprepareandsendusfor$10(whenthereshallbenoopposition)tobesentinadvance，oryoutoknowthatitissafe。Ittakes$5。75ofcosttostartupon，thatis，$1。75toclerk，and$2toeachoftwopublishersofpapers。JudgeLoganthinksitwilltakethebalanceof$20tocarryacasethrough。

Thismustbeadvancedfromtimetotimeastheservicesareperformed，astheofficerswillnotactwithout。IdonotknowwhetheryoucanbeadmittedanattorneyoftheFederalcourtinyourabsenceornot；norisitmaterial，asthebusinesscanbedoneinournames。

Thinkingitmayaidyoualittle，IsendyouoneofourblankformsofPetitions。It，youwillsee，isframedtobesworntobeforetheFederalcourtclerk，and，inyourcases，willhave[to]besofarchangedastobesworntobeforetheclerkofyourcircuitcourt；andhiscertificatemustbeaccompaniedwithhisofficialseal。Theschedules，too，mustbeattendedto。Besurethattheycontainthecreditors’names，theirresidences，theamountsdueeach，thedebtors’names，theirresidences，andtheamountstheyowe，alsoallpropertyandwherelocated。

AlsobesurethattheschedulesareallsignedbytheapplicantsaswellasthePetition。Publicationwillhavetobemadehereinonepaper，andinonenearesttheresidenceoftheapplicant。

Writeusineachcasewherethelastadvertisementistobesent，whethertoyouortowhatpaper。

IbelieveIhavenowsaideverythingthatcanbeofanyadvantage。Yourfriendasever，A。LINCOLN。

TOGEORGEE。PICKETT——ADVICETOYOUTH

February22，1842。

Ineverencouragedeceit，andfalsehood，especiallyifyouhavegotabadmemory，istheworstenemyafellowcanhave。Thefactistruthisyourtruestfriend，nomatterwhatthecircumstancesare。Notwithstandingthiscopy—bookpreamble，myboy，Iaminclinedtosuggestalittleprudenceonyourpart。YouseeI

haveacongenitalaversiontofailure，andthesuddenannouncementtoyourUncleAndrewofthesuccessofyour"lamprubbing"mightpossiblypreventyourpassingtheseverephysicalexaminationtowhichyouwillbesubjectedinordertoentertheMilitaryAcademy。YouseeIshouldliketohaveaperfectsoldiercreditedtodearoldIllinois——nobrokenbones，scalpwounds，etc。SoIthinkitmightbewisetohandthisletterfrommeintoyourgoodunclethroughhisroom—windowafterhehashadacomfortabledinner，andwatchitseffectfromthetopofthepigeon—house。

IhavejusttoldthefolkshereinSpringfieldonthis111thanniversaryofthebirthofhimwhosename，mightiestinthecauseofcivilliberty，stillmightiestinthecauseofmoralreformation，wementioninsolemnawe，innaked，deathlesssplendor，thattheonevictorywecanevercallcompletewillbethatonewhichproclaimsthatthereisnotoneslaveoronedrunkardonthefaceofGod’sgreenearth。Recruitforthisvictory。

Now，boy，onyourmarch，don’tyougoandforgettheoldmaximthat"onedropofhoneycatchesmorefliesthanahalf—gallonofgall。"Loadyourmusketwiththismaxim，andsmokeitinyourpipe。

ADDRESSBEFORETHESPRINGFIELDWASHINGTONIAN

TEMPERANCESOCIETY，FEBRUARY22，1842。

Althoughthetemperancecausehasbeeninprogressforneartwentyyears，itisapparenttoallthatitisjustnowbeingcrownedwithadegreeofsuccesshithertounparalleled。

Thelistofitsfriendsisdailyswelledbytheadditionsoffifties，ofhundreds，andofthousands。Thecauseitselfseemssuddenlytransformedfromacoldabstracttheorytoaliving，breathing，active，andpowerfulchieftain，goingforth"conqueringandtoconquer。"Thecitadelsofhisgreatadversaryaredailybeingstormedanddismantled；histempleandhisaltars，wheretheritesofhisidolatrousworshiphavelongbeenperformed，andwherehumansacrificeshavelongbeenwonttobemade，aredailydesecratedanddeserted。Thetriumphoftheconqueror’sfameissoundingfromhilltohill，fromseatosea，andfromlandtoland，andcallingmillionstohisstandardatablast。

Forthisnewandsplendidsuccessweheartilyrejoice。Thatthatsuccessissomuchgreaternowthanheretoforeisdoubtlessowingtorationalcauses；andifwewouldhaveitcontinue，weshalldowelltoinquirewhatthosecausesare。

Thewarfareheretoforewagedagainstthedemonintemperancehassomehoworotherbeenerroneous。Eitherthechampionsengagedorthetacticstheyadoptedhavenotbeenthemostproper。Thesechampionsforthemostparthavebeenpreachers，lawyers，andhiredagents。Betweentheseandthemassofmankindthereisawantofapproachability，ifthetermbeadmissible，partially，atleast，fataltotheirsuccess。Theyaresupposedtohavenosympathyoffeelingorinterestwiththoseverypersonswhomitistheirobjecttoconvinceandpersuade。

Andagain，itissocommonandsoeasytoascribemotivestomenoftheseclassesotherthanthosetheyprofesstoactupon。Thepreacher，itissaid，advocatestemperancebecauseheisafanatic，anddesiresaunionoftheChurchandState；thelawyerfromhisprideandvanityofhearinghimselfspeak；andthehiredagentforhissalary。Butwhenonewhohaslongbeenknownasavictimofintemperanceburststhefettersthathaveboundhim，andappearsbeforehisneighbors"clothedandinhisrightmind，"

aredeemedspecimenoflong—losthumanity，andstandsup，withtearsofjoytremblinginhiseyes，totellofthemiseriesonceendured，nowtobeendurednomoreforever；ofhisoncenakedandstarvingchildren，nowcladandfedcomfortably；ofawifelongweigheddownwithwoe，weeping，andabrokenheart，nowrestoredtohealth，happiness，andarenewedaffection；andhoweasilyitisalldone，onceitisresolvedtobedone；howsimplehislanguage！thereisalogicandaneloquenceinitthatfewwithhumanfeelingscanresist。TheycannotsaythathedesiresaunionofChurchandState，forheisnotachurchmember；theycannotsayheisvainofhearinghimselfspeak，forhiswholedemeanorshowshewouldgladlyavoidspeakingatall；theycannotsayhespeaksforpay，forhereceivesnone，andasksfornone。

Norcanhissincerityinanywaybedoubted，orhissympathyforthosehewouldpersuadetoimitatehisexamplebedenied。

Inmyjudgment，itistothebattlesofthisnewclassofchampionsthatourlatesuccessisgreatly，perhapschiefly，owing。But，hadtheold—schoolchampionsthemselvesbeenofthemostwiseselecting，wastheirsystemoftacticsthemostjudicious？Itseemstomeitwasnot。Toomuchdenunciationagainstdram—sellersanddram—drinkerswasindulgedin。ThisI

thinkwasbothimpoliticandunjust。Itwasimpolitic，becauseitisnotmuchinthenatureofmantobedriventoanything；

stilllesstobedrivenaboutthatwhichisexclusivelyhisownbusiness；andleastofallwheresuchdrivingistobesubmittedtoattheexpenseofpecuniaryinterestorburningappetite。

Whenthedram—selleranddrinkerwereincessantlytoldnotinaccentsofentreatyandpersuasion，diffidentlyaddressedbyerringmantoanerringbrother，butinthethunderingtonesofanathemaanddenunciationwithwhichthelordlyjudgeoftengroupstogetherallthecrimesofthefelon’slife，andthruststheminhisfacejusterehepassessentenceofdeathuponhimthattheyweretheauthorsofalltheviceandmiseryandcrimeintheland；thattheywerethemanufacturersandmaterialofallthethievesandrobbersandmurderersthatinfesttheearth；thattheirhousesweretheworkshopsofthedevil；andthattheirpersonsshouldbeshunnedbyallthegoodandvirtuous，asmoralpestilences——Isay，whentheyweretoldallthis，andinthisway，itisnotwonderfulthattheywereslowtoacknowledgethetruthofsuchdenunciations，andtojointheranksoftheirdenouncersinahueandcryagainstthemselves。

Tohaveexpectedthemtodootherwisethantheydidtohaveexpectedthemnottomeetdenunciationwithdenunciation，criminationwithcrimination，andanathemawithanathema——wastoexpectareversalofhumannature，whichisGod’sdecreeandcanneverbereversed。

Whentheconductofmenisdesignedtobeinfluenced，persuasion，kind，unassumingpersuasion，shouldeverbeadopted。Itisanoldandatruemaximthat"adropofhoneycatchesmorefliesthanagallonofgall。"Sowithmen。Ifyouwouldwinamantoyourcause，firstconvincehimthatyouarehissincerefriend。

Thereinisadropofhoneythatcatcheshisheart，which，saywhathewill，isthegreathighroadtohisreason；andwhich，whenoncegained，youwillfindbutlittletroubleinconvincinghisjudgmentofthejusticeofyourcause，ifindeedthatcausereallybeajustone。Onthecontrary，assumetodictatetohisjudgment，ortocommandhisaction，ortomarkhimasonetobeshunnedanddespised，andhewillretreatwithinhimself，closealltheavenuestohisheadandhisheart；andthoughyourcausebenakedtruthitself，transformedtotheheaviestlance，harderthansteel，andsharperthansteelcanbemade，andthoughyouthrowitwithmorethanherculeanforceandprecision，youshallbenomoreabletopiercehimthantopenetratethehardshellofatortoisewitharyestraw。Suchisman，andsomusthebeunderstoodbythosewhowouldleadhim，eventohisownbestinterests。

OnthispointtheWashingtoniansgreatlyexcelthetemperanceadvocatesofformertimes。Thosewhomtheydesiretoconvinceandpersuadearetheiroldfriendsandcompanions。Theyknowtheyarenotdemons，noreventheworstofmen；theyknowthatgenerallytheyarekind，generous，andcharitableevenbeyondtheexampleoftheirmorestaidandsoberneighbors。Theyarepracticalphilanthropists；andtheyglowwithagenerousandbrotherlyzealthatmeretheorizersareincapableoffeeling。

Benevolenceandcharitypossesstheirheartsentirely；andoutoftheabundanceoftheirheartstheirtonguesgiveutterance；"lovethroughalltheiractionsruns，andalltheirwordsaremild。"

Inthisspirittheyspeakandact，andinthesametheyareheardandregarded。Andwhensuchisthetemperoftheadvocate，andsuchoftheaudience，nogoodcausecanbeunsuccessful。ButI

havesaidthatdenunciationsagainstdramsellersanddram—

drinkersareunjust，aswellasimpolitic。Letussee。Ihavenotinquiredatwhatperiodoftimetheuseofintoxicatingliquorscommenced；norisitimportanttoknow。Itissufficientthat，toallofuswhonowinhabittheworld，thepracticeofdrinkingthemisjustasoldastheworlditselfthatis，wehaveseentheonejustaslongaswehaveseentheother。Whenallsuchofusashavenowreachedtheyearsofmaturityfirstopenedoureyesuponthestageofexistence，wefoundintoxicatingliquorrecognizedbyeverybody，usedbyeverybody，repudiatedbynobody。Itcommonlyenteredintothefirstdraughtoftheinfantandthelastdraughtofthedyingman。Fromthesideboardoftheparsondowntotheraggedpocketofthehouselessloafer，itwasconstantlyfound。Physiciansproscribeditinthis，that，andtheotherdisease；governmentprovideditforsoldiersandsailors；andtohavearollingorraising，ahuskingor"hoedown，"anywhereaboutwithoutitwaspositivelyinsufferable。

So，too，itwaseverywherearespectablearticleofmanufactureandmerchandise。Themakingofitwasregardedasanhonorablelivelihood，andhewhocouldmakemostwasthemostenterprisingandrespectable。Largeandsmallmanufactoriesofitwereeverywhereerected，inwhichalltheearthlygoodsoftheirownerswereinvested。Wagonsdrewitfromtowntotown；boatsboreitfromclimetoclime，andthewindswafteditfromnationtonation；andmerchantsboughtandsoldit，bywholesaleandretail，withpreciselythesamefeelingsonthepartoftheseller，buyer，andbystanderasarefeltatthesellingandbuyingofploughs，beef，bacon，oranyotheroftherealnecessariesoflife。Universalpublicopinionnotonlytoleratedbutrecognizedandadopteditsuse。

Itistruethateventhenitwasknownandacknowledgedthatmanyweregreatlyinjuredbyit；butnoneseemedtothinktheinjuryarosefromtheuseofabadthing，butfromtheabuseofaverygoodthing。Thevictimsofitweretobepitiedandcompassionated，justasaretheheirsofconsumptionandotherhereditarydiseases。Theirfailingwastreatedasamisfortune，andnotasacrime，orevenasadisgrace。If，then，whatIhavebeensayingistrue，isitwonderfulthatsomeshouldthinkandactnowasallthoughtandactedtwentyyearsago？andisitjusttoassail，condemn，ordespisethemfordoingso？Theuniversalsenseofmankindonanysubjectisanargument，oratleastaninfluence，noteasilyovercome。ThesuccessoftheargumentinfavoroftheexistenceofanoverrulingProvidencemainlydependsuponthatsense；andmenoughtnotinjusticetobedenouncedforyieldingtoitinanycase，orgivingitupslowly，especiallywhentheyarebackedbyinterest，fixedhabits，orburningappetites。

Anothererror，asitseemstome，intowhichtheoldreformersfell，wasthepositionthatallhabitualdrunkardswereutterlyincorrigible，andthereforemustbeturnedadriftanddamnedwithoutremedyinorderthatthegraceoftemperancemightabound，tothetemperatethen，andtoallmankindsomehundredsofyearsthereafter。Thereisinthissomethingsorepugnanttohumanity，souncharitable，socold—bloodedandfeelingless，thatit，neverdidnorevercanenlisttheenthusiasmofapopularcause。Wecouldnotlovethemanwhotaughtitwecouldnothearhimwithpatience。Theheartcouldnotthrowopenitsportalstoit，thegenerousmancouldnotadoptit——itcouldnotmixwithhisblood。Itlookedsofiendishlyselfish，solikethrowingfathersandbrothersoverboardtolightentheboatforoursecurity，thatthenoble—mindedshrankfromthemanifestmeannessofthething。Andbesidesthis，thebenefitsofareformationtobeeffectedbysuchasystemweretooremoteinpointoftimetowarmlyengagemanyinitsbehalf。Fewcanbeinducedtolaborexclusivelyforposterity，andnonewilldoitenthusiastically。

——Posterityhasdonenothingforus；and，theorizeonitaswemay，practicallyweshalldoverylittleforit，unlesswearemadetothinkweareatthesametimedoingsomethingforourselves。

Whatanignoranceofhumannaturedoesitexhibittoaskortoexpectawholecommunitytoriseupandlaborforthetemporalhappinessofothers，afterthemselvesshallbeconsignedtothedust，amajorityofwhichcommunitytakenopainswhatevertosecuretheirowneternalwelfareatnomoredistantday！Greatdistanceineithertimeorspacehaswonderfulpowertolullandrenderquiescentthehumanmind。Pleasurestobeenjoyed，orpainstobeendured，afterweshallbedeadandgonearebutlittleregardedeveninourowncases，andmuchlessinthecasesofothers。Still，inadditiontothisthereissomethingsoludicrousinpromisesofgoodorthreatsofevilagreatwayoffastorenderthewholesubjectwithwhichtheyareconnectedeasilyturnedintoridicule。"Betterlaydownthatspadeyouarestealing，Paddy；ifyoudon’tyou’llpayforitatthedayofjudgment。""Bethepowers，ifye’llcreditmesolongI’lltakeanotherjist。"

BytheWashingtoniansthissystemofconsigningthehabitualdrunkardtohopelessruinisrepudiated。Theyadoptamoreenlargedphilanthropy；theygoforpresentaswellasfuturegood。Theylaborforallnowliving，aswellashereaftertolive。Theyteachhopetoall—despairtonone。Asapplyingtotheircause，theydenythedoctrineofunpardonablesin；asinChristianityitistaught，sointhistheyteach——"While——Whilethelampholdsouttoburn，Thevilestsinnermayreturn。"And，whatisamatterofmoreprofoundcongratulation，they，byexperimentuponexperimentandexampleuponexample，provethemaximtobenolesstrueintheonecasethanintheother。Oneveryhandwebeholdthosewhobutyesterdaywerethechiefofsinners，nowthechiefapostlesofthecause。Drunkendevilsarecastoutbyones，bysevens，bylegions；andtheirunfortunatevictims，likethepoorpossessedwhowereredeemedfromtheirlongandlonelywanderingsinthetombs，arepublishingtotheendsoftheearthhowgreatthingshavebeendoneforthem。

Tothesenewchampionsandthisnewsystemoftacticsourlatesuccessismainlyowing，andtothemwemustmainlylookforthefinalconsummation。Theballisnowrollinggloriouslyon，andnonearesoableastheytoincreaseitsspeedanditsbulk，toaddtoitsmomentumanditsmagnitude——eventhoughunlearnedinletters，forthistasknonearesowelleducated。Tofitthemforthisworktheyhavebeentaughtinthetrueschool。Theyhavebeeninthatgulffromwhichtheywouldteachothersthemeansofescape。Theyhavepassedthatprisonwallwhichothershavelongdeclaredimpassable；andwhothathasnotshalldaretoweighopinionswiththemastothemodeofpassing？

Butifitbetrue，asIhaveinsisted，thatthosewhohavesufferedbyintemperancepersonally，andhavereformed，arethemostpowerfulandefficientinstrumentstopushthereformationtoultimatesuccess，itdoesnotfollowthatthosewhohavenotsufferedhavenopartleftthemtoperform。Whetherornottheworldwouldbevastlybenefitedbyatotalandfinalbanishmentfromitofallintoxicatingdrinksseemstomenotnowanopenquestion。Threefourthsofmankindconfesstheaffirmativewiththeirtongues，and，Ibelieve，alltherestacknowledgeitintheirhearts。

Oughtany，then，torefusetheiraidindoingwhatgoodthegoodofthewholedemands？Shallhewhocannotdomuchbeforthatreasonexcusedifhedonothing？"But，"saysone，"whatgoodcanIdobysigningthepledge？Ineverdrank，evenwithoutsigning。"Thisquestionhasalreadybeenaskedandansweredmorethanamillionoftimes。Letitbeansweredoncemore。Forthemansuddenlyorinanyotherwaytobreakofffromtheuseofdrams，whohasindulgedinthemforalongcourseofyearsanduntilhisappetiteforthemhasgrowntenorahundredfoldstrongerandmorecravingthananynaturalappetitecanbe，requiresamostpowerfulmoraleffort。Insuchanundertakingheneedseverymoralsupportandinfluencethatcanpossiblybebroughttohisaidandthrownaroundhim。Andnotonlyso，buteverymoralpropshouldbetakenfromwhateverargumentmightriseinhismindtolurehimtohisbacksliding。Whenhecastshiseyesaroundhim，heshouldbeabletoseeallthatherespects，allthatheadmires，allthatheloves，kindlyandanxiouslypointinghimonward，andnonebeckoninghimbacktohisformermiserable"wallowinginthemire。"

Butitissaidbysomethatmenwillthinkandactforthemselves；thatnonewilldisusespiritsoranythingelsebecausehisneighborsdo；andthatmoralinfluenceisnotthatpowerfulenginecontendedfor。Letusexaminethis。Letmeaskthemanwhocouldmaintainthispositionmoststiffly，whatcompensationhewillaccepttogotochurchsomeSundayandsitduringthesermonwithhiswife’sbonnetuponhishead？Notatrifle，I’llventure。Andwhynot？Therewouldbenothingirreligiousinit，nothingimmoral，nothinguncomfortable——thenwhynot？Isitnotbecausetherewouldbesomethingegregiouslyunfashionableinit？Thenitistheinfluenceoffashion；andwhatistheinfluenceoffashionbuttheinfluencethatotherpeople’sactionshaveonouractions——thestronginclinationeachofusfeelstodoasweseeallourneighborsdo？Noristheinfluenceoffashionconfinedtoanyparticularthingorclassofthings；itisjustasstrongononesubjectasanother。Letusmakeitasunfashionabletowithholdournamesfromthetemperancecauseasforhusbandstoweartheirwives’bonnetstochurch，andinstanceswillbejustasrareintheonecaseastheother。

"But，"saysome，"wearenodrunkards，andweshallnotacknowledgeourselvessuchbyjoiningareformeddrunkard’ssociety，whateverourinfluencemightbe。"SurelynoChristianwilladheretothisobjection。Iftheybelieveastheyprofess，thatOmnipotencecondescendedtotakeonhimselftheformofsinfulman，andassuchtodieanignominiousdeathfortheirsakes，surelytheywillnotrefusesubmissiontotheinfinitelylessercondescension，forthetemporal，andperhapseternal，salvationofalarge，erring，andunfortunateclassoftheirfellow—creatures。Noristhecondescensionverygreat。Inmyjudgmentsuchofusashaveneverfallenvictimshavebeensparedmorebytheabsenceofappetitethanfromanymentalormoralsuperiorityoverthosewhohave。Indeed，Ibelieveifwetakehabitualdrunkardsasaclass，theirheadsandtheirheartswillbearanadvantageouscomparisonwiththoseofanyotherclass。

Thereseemsevertohavebeenapronenessinthebrilliantandwarm—bloodedtofallintothisvice——thedemonofintemperanceeverseemstohavedelightedinsuckingthebloodofgeniusandofgenerosity。Whatoneofusbutcancalltomindsomerelative，morepromisinginyouththanallhisfellows，whohasfallenasacrificetohisrapacity？HeeverseemstohavegoneforthliketheEgyptianangelofdeath，commissionedtoslay，ifnotthefirst，thefairestbornofeveryfamily。Shallhenowbearrestedinhisdesolatingcareer？Inthatarrestallcangiveaidthatwill；andwhoshallbeexcusedthatcanandwillnot？

Fararoundashumanbreathhaseverblownhekeepsourfathers，ourbrothers，oursons，andourfriendsprostrateinthechainsofmoraldeath。Toallthelivingeverywherewecry，"Comesoundthemoraltrump，thatthesemayriseandstandupanexceedinggreatarmy。""Comefromthefourwinds，Obreath！andbreatheupontheseslainthattheymaylive。"Iftherelativegrandeurofrevolutionsshallbeestimatedbythegreatamountofhumanmiserytheyalleviate，andthesmallamounttheyinflict，thenindeedwillthisbethegrandesttheworldshalleverhaveseen。

Ofourpoliticalrevolutionof’76wearealljustlyproud。Ithasgivenusadegreeofpoliticalfreedomfarexceedingthatofanyothernationoftheearth。Inittheworldhasfoundasolutionofthelong—mootedproblemastothecapabilityofmantogovernhimself。Initwasthegermwhichhasvegetated，andstillistogrowandexpandintotheuniversallibertyofmankind。But，withallthesegloriousresults，past，present，andtocome，ithaditsevilstoo。Itbreathedforthfamine，swaminblood，androdeinfire；andlong，longafter，theorphan’scryandthewidow’swailcontinuedtobreakthesadsilencethatensued。Theseweretheprice，theinevitableprice，paidfortheblessingsitbought。

Turnnowtothetemperancerevolution。Initweshallfindastrongerbondagebroken，avilerslaverymanumitted，agreatertyrantdeposed；init，moreofwantsupplied，morediseasehealed，moresorrowassuaged。ByitnoOrphansstarving，nowidowsweeping。Byitnonewoundedinfeeling，noneinjuredininterest；eventhedrammakeranddram—sellerwillhaveglidedintootheroccupationssograduallyasnevertohavefeltthechange，andwillstandreadytojoinallothersintheuniversalsongofgladness。Andwhatanobleallythistothecauseofpoliticalfreedom，withsuchanaiditsmarchcannotfailtobeonandon，tilleverysonofearthshalldrinkinrichfruitionthesorrow—quenchingdraughtsofperfectliberty。Happydaywhen—allappetitescontrolled，allpoisonssubdued，allmattersubjected—mind，all—conqueringmind，shallliveandmove，themonarchoftheworld。Gloriousconsummation！Hail，falloffury！Reignofreason，allhail！

Andwhenthevictoryshallbecomplete，whenthereshallbeneitheraslavenoradrunkardontheearth，howproudthetitleofthatlandwhichmaytrulyclaimtobethebirthplaceandthecradleofboththoserevolutionsthatshallhaveendedinthatvictory。Hownoblydistinguishedthatpeoplewhoshallhaveplantedandnurturedtomaturityboththepoliticalandmoralfreedomoftheirspecies。

ThisistheonehundredandtenthanniversaryofthebirthdayofWashington；wearemettocelebratethisday。Washingtonisthemightiestnameofearthlongsincemightiestinthecauseofcivilliberty，stillmightiestinmoralreformation。Onthatnamenoeulogyisexpected。Itcannotbe。ToaddbrightnesstothesunorglorytothenameofWashingtonisalikeimpossible。

Letnoneattemptit。Insolemnawepronouncethename，andinitsnakeddeathlesssplendorleaveitshiningon。

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED。

SPRINGFIELD，February25，1842。

DEARSPEED：——Yoursofthe16thinstant，announcingthatMissFannyandyouare"nomoretwain，butoneflesh，"reachedmethismorning。IhavenowayoftellingyouhowmuchhappinessIwishyouboth，thoughIbelieveyoubothcanconceiveit。Ifeelsomewhatjealousofbothofyounow：youwillbesoexclusivelyconcernedforoneanother，thatIshallbeforgottenentirely。

MyacquaintancewithMissFanny(Icallherthis，lestyoushouldthinkIamspeakingofyourmother)wastooshortformetoreasonablyhopetolongberememberedbyher；andstillIamsureIshallnotforgethersoon。Tryifyoucannotremindherofthatdebtsheowesme——andbesureyoudonotinterferetopreventherpayingit。

IregrettolearnthatyouhaveresolvedtonotreturntoIllinois。Ishallbeverylonesomewithoutyou。Howmiserablythingsseemtobearrangedinthisworld！Ifwehavenofriends，wehavenopleasure；andifwehavethem，wearesuretolosethem，andbedoublypainedbytheloss。Ididhopesheandyouwouldmakeyourhomehere；butIownIhavenorighttoinsist。

Youoweobligationstohertenthousandtimesmoresacredthanyoucanowetoothers，andinthatlightletthemberespectedandobserved。Itisnaturalthatsheshoulddesiretoremainwithherrelativesandfriends。Astofriends，however，shecouldnotneedthemanywhere：shewouldhavetheminabundancehere。

GivemykindremembrancetoMr。Williamsonandhisfamily，particularlyMissElizabeth；alsotoyourmother，brother，andsisters。AsklittleElizaDavisifshewillridetotownwithmeifIcomethereagain。Andfinally，giveFannyadoublereciprocationofalltheloveshesentme。Writemeoften，andbelievemeYoursforever，LINCOLN。

P。S。PoorEasthouseisgoneatlast。Hediedawhilebeforedaythismorning。Theysayhewasveryloathtodie……

L。

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED——ONMARRIAGECONCERNS

SPRINGFIELD，February25，1842。

DEARSPEED：——Ireceivedyoursofthe12thwrittenthedayyouwentdowntoWilliam’splace，somedayssince，butdelayedansweringittillIshouldreceivethepromisedoneofthe16th，whichcamelastnight。Iopenedtheletterwithintenseanxietyandtrepidation；somuchso，that，althoughitturnedoutbetterthanIexpected，Ihavehardlyyet，atadistanceoftenhours，becomecalm。

Itellyou，Speed，ourforebodings(forwhichyouandIarepeculiar)arealltheworstsortofnonsense。Ifancied，fromthetimeIreceivedyourletterofSaturday，thattheoneofWednesdaywasnevertocome，andyetitdidcome，andwhatismore，itisperfectlyclear，bothfromitstoneandhandwriting，thatyouweremuchhappier，or，ifyouthinkthetermpreferable，lessmiserable，whenyouwroteitthanwhenyouwrotethelastonebefore。YouhadsoobviouslyimprovedattheverytimeIsomuchfanciedyouwouldhavegrownworse。Yousaythatsomethingindescribablyhorribleandalarmingstillhauntsyou。Youwillnotsaythatthreemonthsfromnow，Iwillventure。Whenyournervesoncegetsteadynow，thewholetroublewillbeoverforever。Norshouldyoubecomeimpatientattheirbeingevenveryslowinbecomingsteady。Againyousay，youmuchfearthatthatElysiumofwhichyouhavedreamedsomuchisnevertoberealized。Well，ifitshallnot，Idareswearitwillnotbethefaultofherwhoisnowyourwife。InowhavenodoubtthatitisthepeculiarmisfortuneofbothyouandmetodreamdreamsofElysiumfarexceedingallthatanythingearthlycanrealize。Farshortofyourdreamsasyoumaybe，nowomancoulddomoretorealizethemthanthatsameblack—eyedFanny。Ifyoucouldbutcontemplateherthroughmyimagination，itwouldappearridiculoustoyouthatanyoneshouldforamomentthinkofbeingunhappywithher。Myoldfatherusedtohaveasayingthat"Ifyoumakeabadbargain，hugitallthetighter"；anditoccurstomethatifthebargainyouhavejustclosedcanpossiblybecalledabadone，itiscertainlythemostpleasantoneforapplyingthatmaximtowhichmyfancycanbyanyeffortpicture。

Iwriteanotherletter，enclosingthis，whichyoucanshowher，ifshedesiresit。Idothisbecauseshewouldthinkstrangely，perhaps，shouldyoutellherthatyoureceivednolettersfromme，or，tellingheryoudo，refusetoletherseethem。Iclosethis，entertainingtheconfidenthopethateverysuccessiveletterIshallhavefromyou(whichIherepraymaynotbefew，norfarbetween)mayshowyoupossessingamoresteadyhandandcheerfulheartthanthelastprecedingit。

Asever，yourfriend，LINCOLN。

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED。

SPRINGFIELD，March27，1842

DEARSPEED：——Yoursofthe10thinstantwasreceivedthreeorfourdayssince。YouknowIamsincerewhenItellyouthepleasureitscontentsgavemewas，andis，inexpressible。Astoyourfarmmatter，Ihavenosympathywithyou。Ihavenofarm，noreverexpecttohave，andconsequentlyhavenotstudiedthesubjectenoughtobemuchinterestedwithit。IcanonlysaythatIamgladyouaresatisfiedandpleasedwithit。Butonthatothersubject，tomeofthemostintenseinterestwhetherinjoyorsorrow，Ineverhadthepowertowithholdmysympathyfromyou。

Itcannotbetoldhowitnowthrillsmewithjoytohearyousayyouare"farhappierthanyoueverexpectedtobe。"ThatmuchI

knowisenough。Iknowyoutoowelltosupposeyourexpectationswerenot，atleast，sometimesextravagant，andiftherealityexceedsthemall，Isay，Enough，dearLord。IamnotgoingbeyondthetruthwhenItellyouthattheshortspaceittookmetoreadyourlastlettergavememorepleasurethanthetotalsumofallIhaveenjoyedsincethefatal1stofJanuary，1841。

SincethenitseemstomeIshouldhavebeenentirelyhappy，butforthenever—absentideathatthereisonestillunhappywhomI

havecontributedtomakeso。Thatstillkillsmysoul。Icannotbutreproachmyselfforevenwishingtobehappywhilesheisotherwise。SheaccompaniedalargepartyontherailroadcarstoJacksonvillelastMonday，andonherreturnspoke，sothatI

heardofit，ofhavingenjoyedthetripexceedingly。Godbepraisedforthat。

YouknowwithwhatsleeplessvigilanceIhavewatchedyoueversincethecommencementofyouraffair；andalthoughIamalmostconfidentitisuseless，IcannotforbearoncemoretosaythatI

thinkitisevenyetpossibleforyourspiritstoflagdownandleaveyoumiserable。Iftheyshould，don’tfailtorememberthattheycannotlongremainso。OnethingIcantellyouwhichI

knowyouwillbegladtohear，andthatisthatIhaveseen——andscrutinizedherfeelingsaswellasIcould，andamfullyconvincedsheisfarhappiernowthanshehasbeenforthelastfifteenmonthspast。

YouwillseebythelastSangamonJournal，thatImadeatemperancespeechonthe22dofFebruary，whichIclaimthatFannyandyoushallreadasanactofcharitytome；forIcannotlearnthatanybodyelsehasreadit，orislikelyto。

Fortunatelyitisnotverylong，andIshalldeemitasufficientcompliancewithmyrequestifoneofyoulistenswhiletheotherreadsit。

AstoyourLockridgematter，itisonlynecessarytosaythattherehasbeennocourtsinceyouleft，andthatthenextcommencesto—morrowmorning，duringwhichIsupposewecannotfailtogetajudgment。

IwishyouwouldlearnofEverettwhathewouldtake，overandaboveadischargeforallthetroublewehavebeenat，totakehisbusinessoutofourhandsandgiveittosomebodyelse。Itisimpossibletocollectmoneyonthatoranyotherclaimherenow；andalthoughyouknowIamnotaverypetulantman，I

declareIamalmostoutofpatiencewithMr。Everett’simportunity。Itseemslikehenotonlywritesallthelettershecanhimself，butgetseverybodyelseinLouisvilleandvicinitytobeconstantlywritingtousabouthisclaim。IhavealwayssaidthatMr。Everettisaverycleverfellow，andIamverysorryhecannotbeobliged；butitdoesseemtomeheoughttoknowweareinterestedtocollecthisclaim，andthereforewoulddoitifwecould。

IamneitherjokingnorinapetwhenIsaywewouldthankhimtotransferhisbusinesstosomeother，withoutanycompensationforwhatwehavedone，providedhewillseethecourtcostpaid，forwhichwearesecurity。

Thesweetvioletyouinclosedcamesafelytohand，butitwassodry，andmashedsoflat，thatitcrumbledtodustatthefirstattempttohandleit。Thejuicethatmashedoutofitstainedaplaceintheletter，whichImeantopreserveandcherishforthesakeofherwhoprocuredittobesent。Myrenewedgoodwishestoherinparticular，andgenerallytoallsuchofyourrelationswhoknowme。

Asever，LINCOLN。

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED。

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，July4，1842。

DEARSPEED：——Yoursofthe16thJunewasreceivedonlyadayortwosince。ItwasnotmailedatLouisvilletillthe25th。YouspeakofthegreattimethathaselapsedsinceIwroteyou。Letmeexplainthat。YourletterreachedhereadayortwoafterI

startedonthecircuit。Iwasgonefiveorsixweeks，sothatI

gotthelettersonlyafewweeksbeforeButlerstartedtoyourcountry。Ithoughtitscarcelyworthwhiletowriteyouthenewswhichhecouldandwouldtellyoumoreindetail。Onhisreturnhetoldmeyouwouldwritemesoon，andsoIwaitedforyourletter。Astomyhavingbeendispleasedwithyouradvice，surelyyouknowbetterthanthat。Iknowyoudo，andthereforewillnotlabortoconvinceyou。True，thatsubjectispainfultome；butitisnotyoursilence，orthesilenceofalltheworld，thatcanmakemeforgetit。Iacknowledgethecorrectnessofyouradvicetoo；butbeforeIresolvetodotheonethingortheother，I

mustgainmyconfidenceinmyownabilitytokeepmyresolveswhentheyaremade。InthatabilityyouknowIoncepridedmyselfastheonlyorchiefgemofmycharacter；thatgemIlost—

—howandwhereyouknowtoowell。Ihavenotyetregainedit；

anduntilIdo，Icannottrustmyselfinanymatterofmuchimportance。IbelievenowthathadyouunderstoodmycaseatthetimeaswellasIunderstandyoursafterward，bytheaidyouwouldhavegivenmeIshouldhavesailedthroughclear，butthatdoesnotnowaffordmesufficientconfidencetobeginthatorthelikeofthatagain。

Youmakeakindacknowledgmentofyourobligationstomeforyourpresenthappiness。Iampleasedwiththatacknowledgment。ButathousandtimesmoreamIpleasedtoknowthatyouenjoyadegreeofhappinessworthyofanacknowledgment。Thetruthis，IamnotsurethattherewasanymeritwithmeinthepartItookinyourdifficulty；Iwasdrawntoitbyafate。IfIwouldIcouldnothavedonelessthanIdid。Ialwayswassuperstitious；IbelieveGodmademeoneoftheinstrumentsofbringingyourFannyandyoutogether，whichunionIhavenodoubtHehadfore—ordained。

WhateverHedesignsHewilldoformeyet。"Standstill，andseethesalvationoftheLord"ismytextjustnow。If，asyousay，youhavetoldFannyall，Ishouldhavenoobjectiontoherseeingthisletter，butforitsreferencetoourfriendhere：letherseeingitdependuponwhethershehaseverknownanythingofmyaffairs；andifshehasnot，donotlether。

IdonotthinkIcancometoKentuckythisseason。Iamsopoorandmakesolittleheadwayintheworld，thatIdropbackinamonthofidlenessasmuchasIgaininayear’ssowing。Ishouldliketovisityouagain。Ishouldliketoseethat"sis"ofyoursthatwasabsentwhenIwasthere，thoughIsupposeshewouldrunawayagainifsheweretohearIwascoming。

Myrespectsandesteemtoallyourfriendsthere，and，byyourpermission，mylovetoyourFanny。

Everyours，LINCOLN。

ALETTERFROMTHELOSTTOWNSHIPS

ArticlewrittenbyLincolnfortheSangamonJournalinridiculeofJamesShields，who，asStateAuditor，haddeclinedtoreceiveStateBanknotesinpaymentoftaxes。Theaboveletterpurportedtocomefromapoorwidowwho，thoughsuppliedwithStateBankpaper，couldnotobtainareceiptforhertaxbill。This，andanothersubsequentletterbyMaryTodd，broughtaboutthe"Lincoln—ShieldsDuel。"

LOSTTOWNSHIPS

August27，1842。

DEARMr。PRINTER：

IseeyouprintedthatlongletterIsentyouaspellago。I’mquiteencouragedbyit，andcan’tkeepfromwritingagain。I

thinktheprintingofmyletterswillbeagoodthingallround——

itwillgivemethebenefitofbeingknownbytheworld，andgivetheworldtheadvantageofknowingwhat’sgoingonintheLostTownships，andgiveyourpaperrespectabilitybesides。Soherecomesanother。YesterdayafternoonIhurriedthroughcleaningupthedinnerdishesandsteppedovertoneighborS_______toseeifhiswifePeggywasaswellasmoutbeexpected，andhearwhattheycalledthebaby。Well，whenIgotthereandjustturnedroundthecornerofhislogcabin，therehewas，settingonthedoorstepreadinganewspaper。"Howareyou，Jeff？"saysI。Hesorterstartedwhenheheardme，forhehadn’tseenmebefore。

"Why，"sayshe，"I’mmadasthedevil，Aunt’Becca！""Whatabout？"saysI；"ain’titshairtherightcolor？Noneofthatnonsense，Jeff；thereain’tanhonesterwomanintheLostTownshipsthan……"——"Thanwho？"sayshe；"whatthemischiefareyouabout？"IbegantoseeIwasrunningthewrongtrail，andsosaysI，"Oh！nothing：IguessIwasmistakenalittle，that’sall。Butwhatisityou’remadabout？"

"Why，"sayshe，"I’vebeentuggingeversinceharvest，gettingoutwheatandhaulingittotherivertoraiseStateBankpaperenoughtopaymytaxthisyearandalittleschooldebtIowe；

andnow，justasI’vegotit，hereIopenthisinfernalExtraRegister，expectingtofinditfullof’GloriousDemocraticVictories’and’HighComb’dCocks，’when，loandbehold！Ifindasetoffellows，callingthemselvesofficersoftheState，haveforbiddenthetaxcollectors，andschoolcommissionerstoreceiveStatepaperatall；andsohereitisdeadonmyhands。Idon’tnowbelievealltheplunderI’vegotwillfetchreadycashenoughtopaymytaxesandthatschooldebt。"

Iwasagooddealthunderstruckmyself；forthatwasthefirstI

hadheardoftheproclamation，andmyoldmanwasprettymuchinthesamefixwithJeff。Webothstoodamomentstaringatoneanotherwithoutknowingwhattosay。AtlastsaysI，"Mr。

S______letmelookatthatpaper。"Hehandedittome，whenI

readtheproclamationover。