第6章

"Therenow，"sayshe，"didyoueverseesuchapieceofimpudenceandimpositionasthat？"IsawJeffwasinagoodtuneforsayingsomeill—naturedthings，andsoItho’tIwouldjustarguealittleonthecontraryside，andmakehimrantaspellifI

could。"Why，"saysI，lookingasdignifiedandthoughtfulasI

could，"itseemsprettytough，tobesure，tohavetoraisesilverwherethere’snonetoberaised；butthen，yousee，’therewillbedangerofloss’ifitain’tdone。"

"Loss！damnation！"sayshe。"IdefyDanielWebster，IdefyKingSolomon，Idefytheworld——Idefy——Idefy——yes，Idefyevenyou，Aunt’Becca，toshowhowthepeoplecanloseanythingbypayingtheirtaxesinStatepaper。"

"Well，"saysI，"youseewhattheofficersofStatesayaboutit，andtheyareadesarnin’setofmen。But，"saysI，"Iguessyou’remistakenaboutwhattheproclamationsays。Itdon’tsaythepeoplewillloseanythingbythepapermoneybeingtakenfortaxes。Itonlysays’therewillbedangerofloss’；andthoughitistolerableplainthatthepeoplecan’tlosebypayingtheirtaxesinsomethingtheycangeteasierthansilver，insteadofhavingtopaysilver；andthoughit’sjustasplainthattheStatecan’tlosebytakingStateBankpaper，howeverlowitmaybe，whilesheowesthebankmorethanthewholerevenue，andcanpaythatpaperoveronherdebt，dollarfordollar；——stillthereisdangeroflosstothe’officersofState’；andyouknow，Jeff，wecan’tgetalongwithoutofficersofState。"

"DamnofficersofState！"sayshe；"that’swhatWhigsarealwayshurrahingfor。"

"Now，don’tswearso，Jeff，"saysI，"youknowIbelongtothemeetin’，andswearin’hurtsmyfeelings。"

"Begpardon，Aunt’Becca，"sayshe；"butIdosayit’senoughtomakeDr。Goddardswear，tohavetaxtopayinsilver，fornothingonlythatFordmaygethistwothousandayear，andShieldshistwenty—fourhundredayear，andCarpenterhissixteenhundredayear，andallwithout’dangerofloss’bytakingitinStatepaper。Yes，yes：it’splainenoughnowwhattheseofficersofStatemeanby’dangerofloss。’Wash，Is’pose，actuallylostfifteenhundreddollarsoutofthethreethousandthattwoofthese’officersofState’lethimstealfromthetreasury，bybeingcompelledtotakeitinStatepaper。Wonderifwedon’thaveaproclamationbeforelong，commandingustomakeupthislosstoWashinsilver。"

Andsohewentontillhisbreathrunout，andhehadtostop。I

couldn’tthinkofanythingtosayjustthen，andsoIbeguntolookoverthepaperagain。"Ay！here’sanotherproclamation，orsomethinglikeit。"

"Another？"saysJeff；"andwhoseeggisit，pray？"

Ilookedtothebottomofit，andreadaloud，"Yourobedientservant，JamesShields，Auditor。"

"Aha！"saysJeff，"oneofthemsamethreefellowsagain。Wellreadit，andlet’shearwhatofit。"

IreadontillIcametowhereitsays，"Theobjectofthismeasureistosuspendthecollectionoftherevenueforthecurrentyear。"

"Nowstop，nowstop！"sayshe；"that’saliea’ready，andIdon’twanttohearofit。"

"Oh，maybenot，"saysI。

"Isayit—is—a—lie。Suspendthecollection，indeed！Willthecollectors，thathavetakentheiroathstomakethecollection，daretoendit？IsthereanythinginlawrequiringthemtoperjurethemselvesatthebiddingofJamesShields？

"Willthegreedygulletofthepenitentiarybesatisfiedwithswallowinghiminsteadofallofthem，iftheyshouldventuretoobeyhim？Andwouldhenotdiscoversome’dangerofloss，’andbeoffaboutthetimeitcametotakingtheirplaces？

"Andsupposethepeopleattempttosuspend，byrefusingtopay；

whatthen？Thecollectorswouldjustjerkuptheirhorsesandcows，andthelike，andsellthemtothehighestbidderforsilverinhand，withoutvaluationorredemption。Why，Shieldsdidn’tbelievethatstoryhimself；itwasnevermeantforthetruth。Ifitwastrue，whywasitnotwrittillfivedaysaftertheproclamation？Whydidn’tCarlinandCarpentersignitaswellasShields？Answermethat，Aunt’Becca。Isayit’salie，andnotawelltoldoneatthat。Itgrinsoutlikeacopperdollar。Shieldsisafoolaswellasaliar。Withhimtruthisoutofthequestion；andasforgettingagood，bright，passablelieoutofhim，youmightaswelltrytostrikefirefromacakeoftallow。Isticktoit，it’sallaninfernalWhiglie！"

"AWhiglie！Hightytighty！"

"Yes，aWhiglie；andit’sjustlikeeverythingthecursedBritishWhigsdo。Firstthey’lldosomedivilment，andthenthey’lltellalietohideit。Andtheydon’tcarehowplainalieitis；theythinktheycancramanysortofaonedownthethroatsoftheignorantLocofocos，astheycalltheDemocrats。"

"Why，Jeff，you’recrazy：youdon’tmeantosayShieldsisaWhig！"

"Yes，Ido。"

"Why，lookhere！theproclamationisinyourownDemocraticpaper，asyoucallit。"

"Iknowit；andwhatofthat？TheyonlyprintedittoletusDemocratsseethedeviltrytheWhigsareat。"

"Well，butShieldsistheauditorofthisLoco——ImeanthisDemocraticState。"

"Soheis，andTylerappointedhimtooffice。"

"Tylerappointedhim？"

"Yes(ifyoumustchawitover)，Tylerappointedhim；or，ifitwasn’thim，itwasoldGrannyHarrison，andthat’sallone。I

tellyou，Aunt’Becca，there’snomistakeabouthisbeingaWhig。

Why，hisverylooksshowsit；everythingabouthimshowsit：ifI

wasdeafandblind，Icouldtellhimbythesmell。IseedhimwhenIwasdowninSpringfieldlastwinter。Theyhadasortofagatherin’thereonenightamongthegrandees，theycalledafair。

Allthegalsabouttownwasthere，andallthehandsomewidowsandmarriedwomen，finickin’abouttryingtolooklikegals，tiedastightinthemiddle，andpuffedoutatbothends，likebundlesoffodderthathadn’tbeenstackedyet，butwantedstackin’

prettybad。Andthentheyhadtablesallaroundthehousekiveredoverwith[]capsandpincushionsandtenthousandsuchlittleknick—knacks，tryin’tosell’emtothefellowsthatwerebowin’，andscrapin’andkungeerin’about’em。

Theywouldn’tletnoDemocratsin，forfearthey’ddisgusttheladies，orscarethelittlegals，ordirtythefloor。Ilookedinatthewindow，andtherewasthissamefellowShieldsfloatin’

aboutontheair，withoutheftorearthlysubstances，justlikealockofcatfurwherecatshadbeenfighting。

"Hewaspayinghismoneytothisone，andthatone，andt’otherone，andsufferin’greatlossbecauseitwasn’tsilverinsteadofStatepaper；andthesweetdistressheseemedtobein，——hisveryfeatures，intheecstaticagonyofhissoul，spokeaudiblyanddistinctly，’Deargirls，itisdistressing，butIcannotmarryyouall。ToowellIknowhowmuchyousuffer；butdo，doremember，itisnotmyfaultthatIamsohandsomeandsointeresting。’

"Asthislastwasexpressedbyamostexquisitecontortionofhisface，heseizedholdofoneoftheirhands，andsqueezed，andheldontoitaboutaquarterofanhour。’Oh，mygoodfellow！’

saysItomyself，’ifthatwasoneofourDemocraticgalsintheLostTownships，thewayyou’dgetabrasspinletintoyouwouldbeaboutuptothehead。’HeaDemocrat！Fiddlesticks！Itellyou，Aunt’Becca，he’saWhig，andnomistake；nobodybutaWhigcouldmakesuchaconceitydunceofhimself。"

"Well，"saysI，"maybeheis；but，ifheis，I’mmistakentheworstsort。Maybeso，maybeso；but，ifIam，I’llsufferbyit；

I’llbeaDemocratifitturnsoutthatShieldsisaWhig，considerin’youshallbeaWhigifheturnsoutaDemocrat。"

"Abargain，byjingoes！"sayshe；"buthowwillwefindout？"

"Why，"saysI，"we’lljustwriteandaxtheprinter。"

"Agreedagain！"sayshe；"andbythunder！ifitdoesturnoutthatShieldsisaDemocrat，Ineverwill__________"

"Jefferson！Jefferson！"

"Whatdoyouwant，Peggy？"

"Dogetthroughyoureverlastingclattersometime，andbringmeagourdofwater；thechild’sbeencryingforadrinkthislivelonghour。"

"Letitdie，then；itmayaswelldieforwaterastobetaxedtodeathtofattenofficersofState。"

Jeffrunofftogetthewater，though，justlikehehadn’tbeensayinganythingspiteful，forhe’saraalgood—heartedfellow，afterall，onceyougetatthefoundationofhim。

Iwalkedintothehouse，and，"Why，Peggy，"saysI，"Ideclareweliketoforgotyoualtogether。"

"Oh，yes，"saysshe，"whenabodycan’thelpthemselves，everybodysoonforgets’em；but，thankGod！bydayafterto—

morrowIshallbewellenoughtomilkthecows，andpenthecalves，andwringthecontraryones’tailsfor’em，andnothankstonobody。"

"Goodevening，Peggy，"saysI，andsoIsloped，forIseedshewasmadatmeformakingJeffneglecthersolong。

Andnow，Mr。Printer，willyoubesuretoletusknowinyournextpaperwhetherthisShieldsisaWhigoraDemocrat？Idon’tcareaboutitformyself，forIknowwellenoughhowitisalready；butIwanttoconvinceJeff。Itmaydosomegoodtolethim，andotherslikehim，knowwhoandwhattheseofficersofStateare。Itmayhelptosendthepresenthypocriticalsettowheretheybelong，andtofilltheplacestheynowdisgracewithmenwhowilldomoreworkforlesspay，andtakefewerairswhiletheyaredoingit。Itain’tsensibletothinkthatthesamemenwhogetusintroublewillchangetheircourse；andyetit’sprettyplainifsomechangeforthebetterisnotmade，it’snotlongthateitherPeggyorIoranyofuswillhaveacowlefttomilk，oracalf’stailtowring。

Yourstruly，REBECCA____________

INVITATIONTOHENRYCLAY。

SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，Aug29，1842。

HON。HENRYCLAY，Lexington，Ky。

DEARSIR：——WehearyouaretovisitIndianapolis，Indiana，onthe5thOfOctobernext。IfourinformationinthisiscorrectwehopeyouwillnotdenyusthepleasureofseeingyouinourState。Weareawareofthetoilnecessarilyincidenttoajourneybyonecircumstancedasyouare；butonceyouhaveembarked，asyouhavealreadydeterminedtodo，thetoilwouldnotbegreatlyaugmentedbyextendingthejourneytoourcapital。

Theseasonoftheyearwillbemostfavorableforgoodroads，andpleasantweather；andalthoughwecannotbutbelieveyouwouldbehighlygratifiedwithsuchavisittotheprairie—land，thepleasureitwouldgiveusandthousandssuchasweisbeyondallquestion。YouhavenevervisitedIllinois，oratleastthisportionofit；andshouldyounowyieldtoourrequest，wepromiseyousuchareceptionasshallheworthyofthemanonwhomarenowturnedthefondesthopesofagreatandsufferingnation。

Pleaseinformusattheearliestconveniencewhetherwemayexpectyou。

Veryrespectfullyyourobedientservants，A。G。HENRY，A。T。BLEDSOE，C。BIRCHALL，A。LINCOLN，G。M。CABANNISS，ROB’TIRWIN，P。A。SAUNDERS，J。M。ALLEN，F。N。FRANCIS。

ExecutiveCommittee"ClayClub。"

(Clay’sanswer，September6，1842，declineswiththanks。)

CORRESPONDENCEABOUTTHELINCOLN—SHIELDSDUEL。

TREMONT，September17，1842。

ABRA。LINCOLN，ESQ。：——IregretthatmyabsenceonpublicbusinesscompelledmetopostponeamatterofprivateconsiderationalittlelongerthanIcouldhavedesired。Itwillonlybenecessary，however，toaccountforitbyinformingyouthatI

havebeentoQuincyonbusinessthatwouldnotadmitofdelay。I

willnowstatebrieflythereasonsofmytroublingyouwiththiscommunication，thedisagreeablenatureofwhichIregret，asI

hadhopedtoavoidanydifficultywithanyoneinSpringfieldwhileresidingthere，byendeavoringtoconductmyselfinsuchawayamongstbothmypoliticalfriendsandopponentsastoescapethenecessityofany。Whilstthusabstainingfromgivingprovocation，Ihavebecometheobjectofslander，vituperation，andpersonalabuse，whichwereIcapableofsubmittingto，I

wouldprovemyselfworthyofthewholeofit。

IntwoorthreeofthelastnumbersoftheSangamonJournal，articlesofthemostpersonalnatureandcalculatedtodegrademehavemadetheirappearance。Oninquiring，Iwasinformedbytheeditorofthatpaper，throughthemediumofmyfriendGeneralWhitesides，thatyouaretheauthorofthosearticles。ThisinformationsatisfiesmethatIhavebecomebysomemeansorothertheobjectofyoursecrethostility。Iwillnottakethetroubleofinquiringintothereasonofallthis；butIwilltakethelibertyofrequiringafull，positive，andabsoluteretractionofalloffensiveallusionsusedbyyouinthesecommunications，inrelationtomyprivatecharacterandstandingasaman，asanapologyfortheinsultsconveyedinthem。

Thismaypreventconsequenceswhichnoonewillregretmorethanmyself。

Yourobedientservant，JAS。SHIELDS。

TOJ。SHIELDS。

TREMONT，September17，1842

JAS。SHIELDS，ESQ。：——Yournoteofto—daywashandedmebyGeneralWhitesides。Inthatnoteyousayyouhavebeeninformed，throughthemediumoftheeditoroftheJournal，thatIamtheauthorofcertainarticlesinthatpaperwhichyoudeempersonallyabusiveofyou；andwithoutstoppingtoinquirewhetherIreallyamtheauthor，ortopointoutwhatisoffensiveinthem，youdemandanunqualifiedretractionofallthatisoffensive，andthenproceedtohintatconsequences。

Now，sir，thereisinthissomuchassumptionoffactsandsomuchofmenaceastoconsequences，thatIcannotsubmittoanswerthatnoteanyfurtherthanIhave，andtoaddthattheconsequencestowhichIsupposeyoualludewouldbematterofasgreatregrettomeasitpossiblycouldtoyou。

Respectfully，A。LINCOLN。

TOA。LINCOLNFROMJAS。SHIELDS

TREMONT，September17，1842。

ABRA。LINCOLN，ESQ。：——Inreplytomynoteofthisdate，youintimatethatIassumefactsandmenaceconsequences，andthatyoucannotsubmittoansweritfurther。Asnow，sir，youdesireit，Iwillbealittlemoreparticular。TheeditoroftheSangamonJournalgavemetounderstandthatyouaretheauthorofanarticlewhichappeared，Ithink，inthatpaperofthe2dSeptemberinstant，headed"TheLostTownships，"andsignedRebeccaor’Becca。Iwouldthereforetakethelibertyofaskingwhetheryouaretheauthorofsaidarticle，oranyotheroverthesamesignaturewhichhasappearedinanyofthelatenumbersofthatpaper。Ifso，Irepeatmyrequestofanabsoluteretractionofalloffensiveallusionscontainedthereininrelationtomyprivatecharacterandstanding。Ifyouarenottheauthorofanyofthesearticles，yourdenialwillhesufficient。Iwillsayfurther，itisnotmyintentiontomenace，buttodomyselfjustice。

Yourobedientservant，JAS。SHIELDS。

MEMORANDUMOFINSTRUCTIONSTOE。H。MERRYMAN，Lincoln’sSecond，September19，1842。

IncaseWhitesidesshallsignifyawishtoadjustthisaffairwithoutfurtherdifficulty，lethimknowthatifthepresentpapersbewithdrawn，andanotefromMr。ShieldsaskingtoknowifIamtheauthorofthearticlesofwhichhecomplains，andaskingthatIshallmakehimgentlemanlysatisfactionifIamtheauthor，andthiswithoutmenace，ordictationastowhatthatsatisfactionshallbe，apledgeismadethatthefollowinganswershallbegiven：

"Ididwritethe’LostTownships’letterwhichappearedintheJournalofthe2dinstant，buthadnoparticipationinanyforminanyotherarticlealludingtoyou。Iwrotethatwhollyforpoliticaleffect——Ihadnointentionofinjuringyourpersonalorprivatecharacterorstandingasamanoragentleman；andIdidnotthenthink，anddonotnowthink，thatthatarticlecouldproduceorhasproducedthateffectagainstyou；andhadI

anticipatedsuchaneffectIwouldhaveforbornetowriteit。

AndIwilladdthatyourconducttowardme，sofarasIknow，hadalwaysbeengentlemanly；andthatIhadnopersonalpiqueagainstyou，andnocauseforany。"

Ifthisshouldbedone，Ileaveitwithyoutoarrangewhatshallandwhatshallnotbepublished。Ifnothinglikethisisdone，thepreliminariesofthefightaretobe——

First。Weapons：Cavalrybroadswordsofthelargestsize，preciselyequalinallrespects，andsuchasnowusedbythecavalrycompanyatJacksonville。

Second。Position：Aplanktenfeetlong，andfromninetotwelveinchesbroad，tobefirmlyfixedonedge，ontheground，asthelinebetweenus，whichneitheristopasshisfootoveruponforfeitofhislife。Nextalinedrawnonthegroundoneithersideofsaidplankandparallelwithit，eachatthedistanceofthewholelengthoftheswordandthreefeetadditionalfromtheplank；andthepassingofhisownsuchlinebyeitherpartyduringthefightshallbedeemedasurrenderofthecontest。

Third。Time：OnThursdayeveningatfiveo’clock，ifyoucangetitso；butinnocasetobeatagreaterdistanceoftimethanFridayeveningatfiveo’clock。

Fourth。Place：WithinthreemilesofAlton，ontheoppositesideoftheriver，theparticularspottobeagreedonbyyou。

Anypreliminarydetailscomingwithintheaboverulesyouareatlibertytomakeatyourdiscretion；butyouareinnocasetoswervefromtheserules，ortopassbeyondtheirlimits。

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED。

SPRINGFIELD，October4，1842。

DEARSPEED：——YouhaveheardofmyduelwithShields，andIhavenowtoinformyouthattheduelingbusinessstillragesinthiscity。DaybeforeyesterdayShieldschallengedButler，whoaccepted，andproposedfightingnextmorningatsunriseinBobAllen’smeadow，onehundredyards’distance，withrifles。TothisWhitesides，Shields’ssecond，said"No，"becauseofthelaw。

ThusendedduelNo。2。YesterdayWhitesideschosetoconsiderhimselfinsultedbyDr。Merryman，sosenthimakindofquasi—

challenge，invitinghimtomeethimatthePlanter’sHouseinSt。

LouisonthenextFriday，tosettletheirdifficulty。Merrymanmademehisfriend，andsentWhitesidesanote，inquiringtoknowifhemeanthisnoteasachallenge，andifso，thathewould，accordingtothelawinsuchcasemadeandprovided，prescribethetermsofthemeeting。WhitesidesreturnedforanswerthatifMerrymanwouldmeethimatthePlanter’sHouseasdesired，hewouldchallengehim。MerrymanrepliedinanotethathedeniedWhitesides’srighttodictatetimeandplace，butthathe(Merryman)wouldwaivethequestionoftime，andmeethimatLouisiana，Missouri。UponmypresentingthisnotetoWhitesidesandstatingverballyitscontents，hedeclinedreceivingit，sayinghehadbusinessinSt。Louis，anditwasasnearasLouisiana。MerrymanthendirectedmetonotifyWhitesidesthatheshouldpublishthecorrespondencebetweenthem，withsuchcommentsashethoughtfit。ThisIdid。Thusitstoodatbedtimelastnight。ThismorningWhitesides，byhisfriendShields，isprayingforanewtrial，onthegroundthathewasmistakeninMerryman’spropositiontomeethimatLouisiana，Missouri，thinkingitwastheStateofLouisiana。ThisMerrymanhootsat，andispreparinghispublication；whilethetownisinaferment，andastreetfightsomewhatanticipated。

ButIbeganthisletternotforwhatIhavebeenwriting，buttosaysomethingonthatsubjectwhichyouknowtobeofsuchinfinitesolicitudetome。TheimmensesufferingsyouenduredfromthefirstdaysofSeptembertillthemiddleofFebruaryyounevertriedtoconcealfromme，andIwellunderstood。Youhavenowbeenthehusbandofalovelywomannearlyeightmonths。ThatyouarehappiernowthanthedayyoumarriedherIwellknow，forwithoutyoucouldnotbeliving。ButIhaveyourwordforit，too，andthereturningelasticityofspiritswhichismanifestedinyourletters。ButIwanttoaskaclosequestion，"Areyounowinfeelingaswellasjudgmentgladthatyouaremarriedasyouare？"Fromanybodybutmethiswouldbeanimpudentquestion，nottobetolerated；butIknowyouwillpardonitinme。Pleaseansweritquickly，asIamimpatienttoknow。IhavesentmylovetoyourFannysooften，Ifearsheisgettingtiredofit。

However，Iventuretotenderitagain。

Yoursforever，LINCOLN。

TOJAMESS。IRWIN。

SPRINGFIELD，November2，1842。

JAS。S。IRWINESQ。：

Owingtomyabsence，yoursofthe22ndult。wasnotreceivedtillthismoment。JudgeLoganandmyselfarewillingtoattendtoanybusinessintheSupremeCourtyoumaysendus。Astofees，itisimpossibletoestablisharulethatwillapplyinall，orevenagreatmanycases。Webelieveweareneveraccusedofbeingveryunreasonableinthisparticular；andwewouldalwaysbeeasilysatisfied，providedwecouldseethemoney——butwhateverfeesweearnatadistance，ifnotpaidbefore，wehavenoticed，weneverhearofaftertheworkisdone。We，therefore，aregrowingalittlesensitiveonthatpoint。

Yoursetc。，A。LINCOLN。

1843

RESOLUTIONSATAWHIGMEETINGATSPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，MARCH1，1843。

TheobjectofthemeetingwasstatedbyMr。LincolnofSpringfield，whoofferedthefollowingresolutions，whichwereunanimouslyadopted：

Resolved，Thatatariffofdutiesonimportedgoods，producingsufficientrevenueforthepaymentofthenecessaryexpendituresoftheNationalGovernment，andsoadjustedastoprotectAmericanindustry，isindispensablynecessarytotheprosperityoftheAmericanpeople。

Resolved，ThatweareopposedtodirecttaxationforthesupportoftheNationalGovernment。

Resolved，Thatanationalbank，properlyrestricted，ishighlynecessaryandpropertotheestablishmentandmaintenanceofasoundcurrency，andforthecheapandsafecollection，keeping，anddisbursingofthepublicrevenue。

Resolved，Thatthedistributionoftheproceedsofthesalesofthepubliclands，upontheprinciplesofMr。Clay’sbill，accordswiththebestinterestsofthenation，andparticularlywiththoseoftheStateofIllinois。

Resolved，ThatwerecommendtotheWhigsofeachCongressionaldistrictoftheStatetonominateandsupportattheapproachingelectionacandidateoftheirownprinciples，regardlessofthechancesofsuccess。

Resolved，Thatwerecommendtoth，WhigsofallportionsoftheStatetoadoptandrigidlyadheretotheconventionsystemofnominatingcandidates。

Resolved，ThatwerecommendtotheWhigsofeachCongressionaldistricttoholdadistrictconventiononorbeforethefirstMondayofMaynext，tobecomposedofanumberofdelegatesfromeachcountyequaltodoublethentuberofitsrepresentativesintheGeneralAssembly，provided，eachcountyshallhaveatleastonedelegate。SaiddelegatestobechosenbyprimarymeetingsoftheWhigs，atsuchtimesandplacesastheyintheirrespectivecountiesmayseefit。SaiddistrictconventionseachtonominateonecandidateforCongress，andonedelegatetoanationalconventionforthepurposeofnominatingcandidatesforPresidentandVice—PresidentoftheUnitedStates。Thesevendelegatessonominatedtoanationalconventiontohavepowertoaddtwodelegatestotheirownnumber，andtofillallvacancies。

Resolved，ThatA。T。Bledsoe，S。T。Logan，andA。LincolnbeappointedacommitteetoprepareanaddresstothepeopleoftheState。

Resolved，ThatN。W。Edwards，A。G。Henry，JamesH。Matheny，JohnC。Doremus，andJamesC。ConklingbeappointedaWhigCentralStateCommittee，withauthoritytofillanyvacancythatmayoccurinthecommittee。

CIRCULARFROMWHIGCOMMITTEE。

AddresstothePeopleofIllinois。

FELLOW—CITIZENS：—ByaresolutionofameetingofsuchoftheWhigsoftheStateasarenowatSpringfield，we，theundersigned，wereappointedtoprepareanaddresstoyou。Theperformanceofthattaskwenowundertake。

Severalresolutionswereadoptedbythemeeting；andthechiefobjectofthisaddressistoshowbrieflythereasonsfortheiradoption。

Thefirstofthoseresolutionsdeclaresatariffofdutiesuponforeignimportations，producingsufficientrevenueforthesupportoftheGeneralGovernment，andsoadjustedastoprotectAmericanindustry，tobeindispensablynecessarytotheprosperityoftheAmericanpeople；andtheseconddeclaresdirecttaxationforanationalrevenuetobeimproper。Thosetworesolutionsarekindredintheirnature，andthereforeproperandconvenienttobeconsideredtogether。Thequestionofprotectionisasubjectentirelytoobroadtobecrowdedintoafewpagesonly，togetherwithseveralothersubjects。OnthatpointwethereforecontentourselveswithgivingthefollowingextractsfromthewritingsofMr。Jefferson，GeneralJackson，andthespeechofMr。Calhoun：

"Tobeindependentforthecomfortsoflife，wemustfabricatethemourselves。Wemustnowplacethemanufacturerbythesideoftheagriculturalist。Thegrandinquirynowis，Shallwemakeourowncomforts，orgowithoutthematthewillofaforeignnation？He，therefore，whoisnowagainstdomesticmanufacturesmustbeforreducinguseithertodependenceonthatforeignnation，ortobeclothedinskinsandtolivelikewildbeastsindensandcaverns。Iamnotoneofthose；experiencehastaughtmethatmanufacturesarenowasnecessarytoourindependenceastoourcomfort。"LetterofMr。JeffersontoBenjaminAustin。

"Iask，Whatistherealsituationoftheagriculturalist？WherehastheAmericanfarmeramarketforhissurplusproduce？Exceptforcotton，hehasneitheraforeignnorahomemarket。Doesnotthisclearlyprove，whenthereisnomarketathomeorabroad，thatthere[is]toomuchlaboremployedinagriculture？Commonsenseatoncepointsouttheremedy。Takefromagriculturesixhundredthousandmen，women，andchildren，andyouwillatoncegiveamarketformorebreadstuffsthanallEuropenowfurnishes。

Inshort，wehavebeentoolongsubjecttothepolicyofBritishmerchants。ItistimeweshouldbecomealittlemoreAmericanized，andinsteadoffeedingthepaupersandlaborersofEngland，feedourown；orelseinashorttime，bycontinuingourpresentpolicy，weshallallberenderedpaupersourselves。"——

GeneralJackson’sLettertoDr。Coleman。

"Whenourmanufacturesaregrowntoacertainperfection，astheysoonwillbe，underthefosteringcareofgovernment，thefarmerwillfindareadymarketforhissurplusproduce，and——whatisofequalconsequence——acertainandcheapsupplyofallhewants；

hisprosperitywilldiffuseitselftoeveryclassofthecommunity。"SpeechofHon。J。C。CalhounontheTariff。

Thequestionofrevenuewewillnowbrieflyconsider。Forseveralyearspasttherevenuesofthegovernmenthavebeenunequaltoitsexpenditures，andconsequentlyloanafterloan，sometimesdirectandsometimesindirectinform，hasbeenresortedto。Bythismeansanewnationaldebthasbeencreated，andisstillgrowingonuswitharapidityfearfultocontemplate——arapidityonlyreasonablytobeexpectedintimeofwar。Thisstateofthingshasbeenproducedbyaprevailingunwillingnesseithertoincreasethetarifforresorttodirecttaxation。Buttheoneortheothermustcome。Comingexpendituresmustbemet，andthepresentdebtmustbepaid；andmoneycannotalwaysbeborrowedfortheseobjects。Thesystemofloansisbuttemporaryinitsnature，andmustsoonexplode。Itisasystemnotonlyruinouswhileitlasts，butonethatmustsoonfailandleaveusdestitute。Asanindividualwhoundertakestolivebyborrowingsoonfindshisoriginalmeansdevouredbyinterest，and，next，noonelefttoborrowfrom，somustitbewithagovernment。

Werepeat，then，thatatariffsufficientforrevenue，oradirecttax，mustsoonberesortedto；and，indeed，webelievethisalternativeisnowdeniedbynoone。Butwhichsystemshallbeadopted？Someofouropponents，intheory，admittheproprietyofatariffsufficientforarevenue，buteventheywillnotinpracticevoteforsuchatariff；whileothersboldlyadvocatedirecttaxation。Inasmuch，therefore，assomeofthemboldlyadvocatedirecttaxation，andalltherest——orsonearlyallastomakeexceptionsneedless——refusetoadoptthetariff，wethinkitisdoingthemnoinjusticetoclassthemallasadvocatesofdirecttaxation。Indeed，webelievetheyareonlydelayinganopenavowalofthesystemtilltheycanassurethemselvesthatthepeoplewilltolerateit。Letus，then，brieflycomparethetwosystems。Thetariffisthecheapersystem，becausetheduties，beingcollectedinlargeparcelsatafewcommercialpoints，willrequirecomparativelyfewofficersintheircollection；whilebythedirect—taxsystemthelandmustbeliterallycoveredwithassessorsandcollectors，goingforthlikeswarmsofEgyptianlocusts，devouringeverybladeofgrassandothergreenthing。And，again，bythetariffsystemthewholerevenueispaidbytheconsumersofforeigngoods，andthosechieflytheluxuries，andnotthenecessaries，oflife。Bythissystemthemanwhocontentshimselftoliveupontheproductsofhisowncountrypaysnothingatall。Andsurelythatcountryisextensiveenough，anditsproductsabundantandvariedenough，toansweralltherealwantsofitspeople。Inshort，bythissystemtheburthenofrevenuefallsalmostentirelyonthewealthyandluxuriousfew，whilethesubstantialandlaboringmanywholiveathome，anduponhomeproducts，goentirelyfree。

Bythedirect—taxsystemnonecanescape。Howeverstrictlythecitizenmayexcludefromhispremisesallforeignluxuries，——finecloths，finesilks，richwines，goldenchains，anddiamondrings，——still，forthepossessionofhishouse，hisbarn，andhishomespun，heistobeperpetuallyhauntedandharassedbythetax—gatherer。Withtheseviewsweleaveittobedeterminedwhetherweorouropponentsarethemoretrulydemocraticonthesubject。

Thethirdresolutiondeclaresthenecessityandproprietyofanationalbank。Duringthelastfiftyyearssomuchhasbeensaidandwrittenbothastotheconstitutionalityandexpediencyofsuchaninstitution，thatwecouldnothopetoimproveintheleastonformerdiscussionsofthesubject，werewetoundertakeit。We，therefore，uponthequestionofconstitutionalitycontentourselveswithremarkingthefactsthatthefirstnationalbankwasestablishedchieflybythesamemenwhoformedtheConstitution，atatimewhenthatinstrumentwasbuttwoyearsold，andreceivingthesanction，asPresident，oftheimmortalWashington；thatthesecondreceivedthesanction，asPresident，ofMr。Madison，towhomcommonconsenthasawardedtheproudtitleof"FatheroftheConstitution"；andsubsequentlythesanctionoftheSupremeCourt，themostenlightenedjudicialtribunalintheworld。Uponthequestionofexpediency，weonlyaskyoutoexaminethehistoryofthetimesduringtheexistenceofthetwobanks，andcomparethosetimeswiththemiserablepresent。

ThefourthresolutiondeclarestheexpediencyofMr。Clay’slandbill。Muchincomprehensiblejargonisoftenusedagainsttheconstitutionalityofthismeasure。Weforbear，inthisplace，attemptingananswertoit，simplybecause，inouropinion，thosewhourgeitarethroughpartyzealresolvednottoseeoracknowledgethetruth。Thequestionofexpediency，atleastsofarasIllinoisisconcerned，seemstoustheclearestimaginable。Bythebillwearetoreceiveannuallyalargesumofmoney，nopartofwhichweotherwisereceive。Thepreciseannualsumcannotbeknowninadvance；itdoubtlesswillvaryindifferentyears。Stillitissomethingtoknowthatinthelastyear——ayearofalmostunparalleledpecuniarypressure——itamountedtomorethanfortythousanddollars。Thisannualincome，inthemidstofouralmostinsupportabledifficulties，inthedaysofourseverestnecessity，ourpoliticalopponentsarefuriouslyresolvingtotakeandkeepfromus。Andforwhat？

Manysillyreasonsaregiven，asisusualincaseswhereasinglegoodoneisnottobefound。Oneisthatbygivingustheproceedsofthelandsweimpoverishthenationaltreasury，andtherebyrendernecessaryanincreaseofthetariff。Thismaybetrue；butifso，theamountofitonlyisthatthosewhosepride，whoseabundanceofmeans，promptthemtospurnthemanufacturesofourcountry，andtostrutinBritishcloaksandcoatsandpantaloons，mayhavetopayafewcentsmoreontheyardforthecloththatmakesthem。Aterribleevil，truly，totheIllinoisfarmer，whoneverwore，noreverexpectstowear，asingleyardofBritishgoodsinhiswholelife。AnotheroftheirreasonsisthatbythepassageandcontinuanceofMr。Clay’sbill，wepreventthepassageofabillwhichwouldgiveusmore。This，ifitweresoundinitself，iswagingdestructivewarwiththeformerposition；forifMr。Clay’sbillimpoverishesthetreasurytoomuch，whatshallbesaidofonethatimpoverishesitstillmore？Butitisnotsoundinitself。ItisnottruethatMr。

Clay’sbillpreventsthepassageofonemorefavorabletousofthenewStates。ConsideringthestrengthandoppositeinterestoftheoldStates，thewonderisthattheyeverpermittedonetopasssofavorableasMr。Clay’s。Thelasttwenty—oddyears’

effortstoreducethepriceofthelands，andtopassgraduationbillsandcessionbills，provetheassertiontobetrue；andiftherewerenoexperienceinsupportofit，thereasonitselfisplain。TheStatesinwhichnone，orfew，ofthepubliclandslie，andthoseconsequentlyinterestedagainstpartingwiththemexceptforthebestprice，arethemajority；andamoment’sreflectionwillshowthattheymustevercontinuethemajority，becausebythetimeoneoftheoriginalnewStates(Ohio，forexample)becomespopulousandgetsweightinCongress，thepubliclandsinherlimitsaresonearlysoldoutthatineverypointmaterialtothisquestionshebecomesanoldState。Shedoesnotwishthepricereduced，becausethereisnoneleftforhercitizenstobuy；shedoesnotwishthemcededtotheStatesinwhichtheylie，becausetheynolongerlieinherlimits，andshewillgetnothingbythecession。Inthenatureofthings，theStatesinterestedinthereductionofprice，ingraduation，incession，andinallsimilarprojects，nevercanbethemajority。

NoristherereasontohopethatanyofthemcaneversucceedasaDemocraticpartymeasure，becausewehaveheretoforeseenthatpartyinfullpower，yearafteryear，withmanyoftheirleadersmakingloudprofessionsinfavoroftheseprojects，andyetdoingnothing。Whatreason，then，istheretobelievetheywillhereafterdobetter？Ineverylightinwhichwecanviewthisquestion，itamountssimplytothis：ShallweacceptourshareoftheproceedsunderMr。Clay’sbill，orshallweratherrejectthatandgetnothing？

ThefifthresolutionrecommendsthataWhigcandidateforCongressberunineverydistrict，regardlessofthechancesofsuccess。Weareawarethatitissometimesatemporarygratification，whenafriendcannotsucceed，tobeabletochoosebetweenopponents；butwebelievethatthatgratificationistheseed—timewhichneverfailstobefollowedbyamostabundantharvestofbitterness。Bythispolicyweentangleourselves。Byvotingforouropponents，suchofusasdoitinsomemeasureestopourselvestocomplainoftheiracts，howeverglaringlywrongwemaybelievethemtobe。Bythispolicynooneportionofourfriendscaneverbecertainastowhatcourseanotherportionmayadopt；andbythiswantofmutualandperfectunderstandingourpoliticalidentityispartiallyfritteredawayandlost。And，again，thosewhoarethuselectedbyouraideverbecomeourbitterestpersecutors。Takeafewprominentexamples。

In1830ReynoldswaselectedGovernor；in1835weexertedourwholestrengthtoelectJudgeYoungtotheUnitedStatesSenate，whicheffort，thoughfailing，gavehimtheprominencethatsubsequentlyelectedhim；in1836GeneralEwing，wassoelectedtotheUnitedStatesSenate；andyetletusaskwhatthreemenhavebeenmoreperseveringlyvindictiveintheirassaultsuponallourmenandmeasuresthanthey？DuringthelastsummerthewholeStatewascoveredwithpamphleteditionsofmisrepresentationsagainstus，methodizedintochaptersandverses，writtenbytwoofthesesamemen，——ReynoldsandYoung，inwhichtheydidnotstopatcharginguswitherrormerely，butroundlydenouncedusasthedesigningenemiesofhumanliberty，itself。IfitbethewillofHeaventhatsuchmenshallpoliticallylive，beitso；butnever，neveragainpermitthemtodrawaparticleoftheirsustenancefromus。

Thesixthresolutionrecommendstheadoptionoftheconventionsystemforthenominationofcandidates。Thiswebelievetobeoftheveryfirstimportance。Whetherthesystemisrightinitselfwedonotstoptoinquire；contentingourselveswithtryingtoshowthat，whileouropponentsuseit，itismadnessinusnottodefendourselveswithit。Experiencehasshownthatwecannotsuccessfullydefendourselveswithoutit。Forexamples，lookattheelectionsoflastyear。Ourcandidateforgovernor，withtheapprobationofalargeportionoftheparty，tookthefieldwithoutanomination，andinopenoppositiontothesystem。

WhereverinthecountiestheWhigshadheldconventionsandnominatedcandidatesfortheLegislature，theaspirantswhowerenotnominatedwereinducedtorebelagainstthenominations，andtobecomecandidates，asissaid，"ontheirownhook。"And，gowhereyouwouldintoalargeWhigcounty，youweresuretofindtheWhigsnotcontendingshouldertoshoulderagainstthecommonenemy，butdividedintofactions，andfightingfuriouslywithoneanother。Theelectioncame，andwhatwastheresult？Thegovernorbeaten，theWhigvotebeingdecreasedmanythousandssince1840，althoughtheDemocraticvotehadnotincreasedany。

BeatenalmosteverywhereformembersoftheLegislature，——

Tazewell，withherfourhundredWhigmajority，sendingadelegationhalfDemocratic；Vermillion，withherfivehundred，doingthesame；Coles，withherfourhundred，sendingtwooutofthree；andMorgan，withhertwohundredandfifty，sendingthreeoutoffour，——andthistosaynothingofthenumerousotherlessglaringexamples；thewholewindingupwiththeaggregatenumberoftwenty—sevenDemocraticrepresentativessentfromWhigcounties。Astothesenators，too，theresultwasofthesamecharacter。AnditismostworthytoberememberedthatofalltheWhigsintheStatewhoranagainsttheregularnominees，asingleoneonlywaselected。Althoughtheysucceededindefeatingthenomineesalmostbyscores，theytooweredefeated，andthespoilschucklinglyborneoffbythecommonenemy。

WedonotmentionthefactofmanyoftheWhigsopposingtheconventionsystemheretoforeforthepurposeofcensuringthem。

Farfromit。Weexpresslyprotestagainstsuchaconclusion。Weknowtheyweregenerally，perhapsuniversally，asgoodandtrueWhigsasweourselvesclaimtobe。

Wementionitmerelytodrawattentiontothedisastrousresultitproduced，asanexampleforeverhereaftertobeavoided。That"unionisstrength"isatruththathasbeenknown，illustrated，anddeclaredinvariouswaysandformsinallagesoftheworld。

ThatgreatfabulistandphilosopherAesopillustrateditbyhisfableofthebundleofsticks；andhewhosewisdomsurpassesthatofallphilosophershasdeclaredthat"ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand。"Itistoinduceourfriendstoactuponthisimportantanduniversallyacknowledgedtruththatweurgetheadoptionoftheconventionsystem。Reflectionwillprovethatthereisnootherwayofpracticallyapplyingit。Initsapplicationweknowtherewillbeincidentstemporarilypainful；

but，afterall，thoseincidentswillbefewerandlessintensewiththanwithoutthesystem。Iftwofriendsaspiretothesameofficeitiscertainthatbothcannotsucceed。Woulditnot，then，bemuchlesspainfultohavethequestiondecidedbymutualfriendssometimebefore，thantosnarlandquarreluntilthedayofelection，andthenbothbebeatenbythecommonenemy？

Beforeleavingthissubject，wethinkpropertoremarkthatwedonotunderstandtheresolutionasintendedtorecommendtheapplicationoftheconventionsystemtothenominationofcandidatesforthesmallofficesnowayconnectedwithpolitics；

thoughwemustsaywedonotperceivethatsuchanapplication。

ofitwouldbewrong。

TheseventhresolutionrecommendstheholdingofdistrictconventionsinMaynext，forthepurposeofnominatingcandidatesforCongress。Theproprietyofthisrestsuponthesamereasonswiththatofthesixth，andthereforeneedsnofurtherdiscussion。

Theeighthandninthalsorelatemerelytothepracticalapplicationoftheforegoing，andthereforeneednodiscussion。

Beforeclosing，permitustoaddafewreflectionsonthepresentconditionandfutureprospectsoftheWhigparty。InalmostalltheStateswehavefallenintotheminority，anddespondencyseemstoprevailuniversallyamongus。Istherejustcauseforthis？In1840wecarriedthenationbymorethanahundredandfortythousandmajority。Ouropponentschargedthatwediditbyfraudulentvoting；butwhatevertheymayhavebelieved，weknowthechargetobeuntrue。Where，now，isthatmightyhost？Havetheygoneovertotheenemy？Lettheresultsofthelateelectionsanswer。EveryStatewhichhasfallenofffromtheWhigcausesince1840hasdonesonotbygivingmoreDemocraticvotesthantheydidthen，butbygivingfewerWhig。Bouck，whowaselectedDemocraticGovernorofNewYorklastfallbymorethan15，000majority，hadnotthenasmanyvotesashehadin1840，whenhewasbeatenbysevenoreightthousand。AndsohasitbeeninalltheotherStateswhichhavefallenawayfromourcause。Fromthisitisevidentthattensofthousandsinthelateelectionshavenotvotedatall。Whoandwhatarethey？isanimportantquestion，asrespectsthefuture。Theycancomeforwardandgiveusthevictoryagain。Thatall，ornearlyall，ofthemareWhigsismostapparent。Ouropponents，stungtomadnessbythedefeatof1840，haveeversinceralliedwithmorethantheirusualunanimity。Ithasnotbeentheythathavebeenkeptfromthepolls。Thesefactsshowwhattheresultmustbe，oncethepeopleagainrallyintheirentirestrength。Proclaimthesefacts，andpredictthisresult；andalthoughunthinkingopponentsmaysmileatus，thesagaciousoneswill"believeandtremble。"AndwhyshalltheWhigsnotallrallyagain？Aretheirprincipleslessdearnowthanin1840？Haveanyoftheirdoctrinessincethenbeendiscoveredtobeuntrue？Itistrue，thevictoryof1840didnotproducethehappyresultsanticipated；butitisequallytrue，aswebelieve，thattheunfortunatedeathofGeneralHarrisonwasthecauseofthefailure。ItwasnottheelectionofGeneralHarrisonthatwasexpectedtoproducehappyeffects，butthemeasurestobeadoptedbyhisadministration。Bymeansofhisdeath，andtheunexpectedcourseofhissuccessor，thosemeasureswereneveradopted。Howcouldthefruitsfollow？Theconsequenceswealwayspredictedwouldfollowthefailureofthosemeasureshavefollowed，andarenowuponusinalltheirhorrors。BythecourseofMr。Tylerthepolicyofouropponentshascontinuedinoperation，stillleavingthemwiththeadvantageofchargingallitsevilsuponusastheresultsofaWhigadministration。Letnonebedeceivedbythissomewhatplausible，thoughentirelyfalsecharge。Iftheyaskusforthesufficientandsoundcurrencywepromised，letthembeansweredthatweonlypromiseditthroughthemediumofanationalbank，whichthey，aidedbyMr。Tyler，preventedourestablishing。Andletthembereminded，too，thattheirownpolicyinrelationtothecurrencyhasallthetimebeen，andstillis，infulloperation。Letusthenagaincomeforthinourmight，andbyasecondvictoryaccomplishthatwhichdeathpreventedinthefirst。Wecandoit。WhendidtheWhigseverfailiftheywerefullyarousedandunited？EveninsingleStates，undersuchcircumstances，defeatseldomovertakesthem。

Calltomindthecontestedelectionswithinthelastfewyears，andparticularlythoseofMooreandLetcherfromKentucky，NewlandandGrahamfromNorthCarolina，andthefamousNewJerseycase。InallthesedistrictsLocofocoismhadstalkedomnipotentbefore；butwhenthewholepeoplewerearousedbyitsenormitiesonthoseoccasions，theyputitdown，nevertoriseagain。

Wedeclareittobeoursolemnconviction，thattheWhigsarealwaysamajorityofthisnation；andthattomakethemalwayssuccessfulneedsbuttogetthemalltothepollsandtovoteunitedly。Thisisthegreatdesideratum。Letusmakeeveryefforttoattainit。Ateveryelection，leteveryWhigactasthoughheknewtheresulttodependuponhisaction。Inthegreatcontestof1840somemorethantwentyonehundredthousandvoteswerecast，andsosurelyasthereshallbethatmany，withtheordinaryincreaseadded，castin1844thatsurelywillaWhigbeelectedPresidentoftheUnitedStates。

A。LINCOLN。

S。T。LOGAN。

A。T。BLEDSOE。

March4，1843。

TOJOHNBENNETT。

SPRINGFIELD，March7，1843。

FRIENDBENNETT：

YourletterofthisdaywashandedmebyMr。Miles。Itistoolatenowtoeffecttheobjectyoudesire。OnyesterdaymorningthemostoftheWhigmembersfromthisdistrictgottogetherandagreedtoholdtheconventionatTremontinTazewellCounty。I

amsorrytohearthatanyoftheWhigsofyourcounty，orindeedofanycounty，shouldlongerbeagainstconventions。OnlastWednesdayeveningameetingofalltheWhigsthenherefromallpartsoftheStatewasheld，andthequestionofthepropriety。

ofconventionswasbroughtupandfullydiscussed，andattheendofthediscussionaresolutionrecommendingthesystemofconventionstoalltheWhigsoftheStatewasunanimouslyadopted。Otherresolutionswerealsopassed，allofwhichwillappearinthenextJournal。ThemeetingalsoappointedacommitteetodraftanaddresstothepeopleoftheState，whichaddresswillalsoappearinthenextjournal。

Inityouwillfindabriefargumentinfavorofconventions——andalthoughIwroteitmyselfIwillsaytoyouthatitisconclusiveuponthepointandcannotbereasonablyanswered。

Therightwayforyoutodoisholdyourmeetingandappointdelegatesanyhow，andiftherebeanywhowillnottakepart，letitbeso。Thematterwillworksowellthistimethateventheywhonowopposewillcomeinnexttime。

TheconventionistobeheldatTremontonthe5thofAprilandaccordingtotherulewehaveadoptedyourcountyistohavedelegates—beingdoubleyourrepresentation。

IftherebeanygoodWhigwhoisdisposedtostickoutagainstconventionsgethimatleasttoreadthearguementintheirfavorintheaddress。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

JOSHUAF。SPEED。

SPRINGFIELD，March24，1843。

DEARSPEED：——WehadameetingoftheWhigsofthecountyhereonlastMondaytoappointdelegatestoadistrictconvention；andBakerbeatme，andgotthedelegationinstructedtogoforhim。

Themeeting，inspiteofmyattempttodeclineit，appointedmeoneofthedelegates；sothatingettingBakerthenominationI

shallbefixedagooddeallikeafellowwhoismadeagroomsmantoamanthathascuthimoutandismarryinghisowndear"gal。"

Abouttheprospectsofyourhavinganamesakeatourtown，can’tsayexactlyyet。

A。LINCOLN。

TOMARTINM。MORRIS。

SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，March26，1843。

FRIENDMORRIS：

Yourletterofthea3d，wasreceivedonyesterdaymorning，andforwhich(insteadofanexcuse，whichyouthoughtpropertoask)

Itenderyoumysincerethanks。Itistrulygratifyingtometolearnthat，whilethepeopleofSangamonhavecastmeoff，myoldfriendsofMenard，whohaveknownmelongestandbest，sticktome。Itwouldastonish，ifnotamuse，theoldercitizenstolearnthatI(astranger，friendless，uneducated，pennilessboy，workingonaflatboatattendollarspermonth)havebeenputdownhereasthecandidateofpride，wealth，andaristocraticfamilydistinction。Yetso，chiefly，itwas。Therewas，too，thestrangestcombinationofchurchinfluenceagainstme。BakerisaCampbellite；andtherefore，asIsuppose，withfewexceptionsgotallthatchurch。MywifehassomerelationsinthePresbyterianchurches，andsomewiththeEpiscopalchurches；

andtherefore，whereveritwouldtell，Iwassetdownaseithertheoneortheother，whileitwaseverywherecontendedthatnoChristianoughttogoforme，becauseIbelongedtonochurch，wassuspectedofbeingadeist，andhadtalkedaboutfightingaduel。Withallthesethings，Baker，ofcourse，hadnothingtodo。NordoIcomplainofthem。Astohisownchurchgoingforhim，Ithinkthatwasrightenough，andastotheinfluencesI

havespokenofintheother，thoughtheywereverystrong，itwouldbegrosslyuntrueandunjusttochargethattheyactedupontheminabodyorwereverynearso。Ionlymeanthatthoseinfluencesleviedataxofaconsiderablepercent。uponmystrengththroughoutthereligiouscontroversy。Butenoughofthis。

YousaythatinchoosingacandidateforCongressyouhaveanequalrightwithSangamon，andinthisyouareundoubtedlycorrect。InagreeingtowithdrawiftheWhigsofSangamonshouldgoagainstme，Ididnotmeanthattheyalonewereworthconsulting，butthatifshe，withherheavydelegation，shouldbeagainstme，itwouldbeimpossibleformetosucceed，andthereforeIhadaswelldecline。AndinrelationtoMenardhavingrights，permitmefullytorecognizethem，andtoexpresstheopinionthat，ifsheandMasonactcircumspectly，theywillintheconventionbeablesofartoenforcetheirrightsastodecideabsolutelywhichoneofthecandidatesshallbesuccessful。Letmeshowthereasonofthis。Hardin，orsomeotherMorgancandidate，willgetPutnam，Marshall，Woodford，Tazewell，andLogan——makingsixteen。ThenyouandMason，havingthree，cangivethevictorytoeitherside。

Yousayyoushallinstructyourdelegatesforme，unlessI

object。Icertainlyshallnotobject。Thatwouldbetoopleasantacomplimentformetotreadinthedust。Andbesides，ifanythingshouldhappen(which，however，isnotprobable)bywhichBakershouldbethrownoutofthefight，IwouldbeatlibertytoacceptthenominationifIcouldgetit。Ido，however，feelmyselfboundnottohinderhiminanywayfromgettingthenomination。IshoulddespisemyselfwereItoattemptit。Ithink，then，itwouldbeproperforyourmeetingtoappointthreedelegatesandtoinstructthemtogoforsomeoneasthefirstchoice，someoneelseasasecond，andperhapssomeoneasathird；andifinthoseinstructionsIwerenamedasthefirstchoice，itwouldgratifymeverymuch。Ifyouwishtoholdthebalanceofpower，itisimportantforyoutoattendtoandsecurethevoteofMasonalso：Youshouldbesuretohavemenappointeddelegatesthatyouknowyoucansafelyconfidein。IfyourselfandJamesShortwereappointedfromyourcounty，allwouldbesafe；butwhetherJim’swomanaffairayearagomightnotbeinthewayofhisappointmentisaquestion。Idon’tknowwhetheryouknowit，butIknowhimtobeashonorableamanasthereisintheworld。Youhavemypermission，andevenrequest，toshowthislettertoShort；buttonooneelse，unlessitbeaveryparticularfriendwhoyouknowwillnotspeakofit。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

P。SWillyouwritemeagain？

TOMARTINM。MORRIS。

April14，1843。

FRIENDMORRIS：

IhavehearditintimatedthatBakerhasbeenattemptingtogetyouorMiles，orbothofyou，toviolatetheinstructionsofthemeetingthatappointedyou，andtogoforhim。Ihaveinsisted，andstillinsist，thatthiscannotbetrue。SurelyBakerwouldnotdothelike。AswellmightHardinaskmetovoteforhimintheconvention。Again，itissaidtherewillbeanattempttogetupinstructionsinyourcountyrequiringyoutogoforBaker。

Thisisallwrong。Uponthesamerule，WhymightnotIflyfromthedecisionagainstmeinSangamon，andgetupinstructionstotheirdelegatestogoforme？ThereareatleasttwelvehundredWhigsinthecountythattooknopart，andyetIwouldassoonputmyheadinthefireastoattemptit。Besides，ifanyoneshouldgetthenominationbysuchextraordinarymeans，allharmonyinthedistrictwouldinevitablybelost。HonestWhigs(andverynearlyallofthemarehonest)wouldnotquietlyabidesuchenormities。Irepeat，suchanattemptonBaker’spartcannotbetrue。WritemeatSpringfieldhowthematteris。

Don’tshoworspeakofthisletter。

A。LINCOLN

TOGEN。J。J。HARDIN。

SPRINGFIELD，May11，1843。

FRIENDHARDIN：

Butlerinformsmethathereceivedaletterfromyou，inwhichyouexpressedsomedoubtwhethertheWhigsofSangamonwillsupportyoucordially。Youmay，atonce，dismissallfearsonthatsubject。Wehavealreadyresolvedtomakeaparticularefforttogiveyoutheverylargestmajoritypossibleinourcounty。Fromthis，noWhigofthecountydissents。Wehavemanyobjectsfordoingit。Wemakeitamatterofhonorandpridetodoit；wedoitbecausewelovetheWhigcause；wedoitbecausewelikeyoupersonally；andlast，wewishtoconvinceyouthatwedonotbearthathatredtoMorganCountythatyoupeoplehavesolongseemedtoimagine。Youwillseebythejournalsofthisweekthatwepropose，uponpainoflosingabarbecue，togiveyoutwiceasgreatamajorityinthiscountyasyoushallreceiveinyourown。Igotuptheproposal。

Whoofthefiveappointedistowritethedistrictaddress？I

didthelaborofwritingoneaddressthisyear，andgotthunderformyreward。Nothingnewhere。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

P。S。——IwishyouwouldmeasureoneofthelargestofthoseswordswetooktoAltonandwritemethelengthofit，fromtipofthepointtotipofthehilt，infeetandinches。Ihaveadisputeaboutthelength。

A。L。

EndofVolume1

TheWritingsofAbrahamLincolnbyAbrahamLincolnVOLUMEII。

1843—1858

FIRSTCHILD

TOJOSHUAF。SPEED。

SPRINGFIELD，May18，1843。

DEARSPEED：——Yoursofthe9thinstantisdulyreceived，whichI

donotmeetasa"bore，"butasamostwelcomevisitor。Iwillanswerthebusinesspartofitfirst。

InrelationtoourCongressmatterhere，youwererightinsupposingIwouldsupportthenominee。NeitherBakernorI，however，istheman，butHardin，sofarasIcanjudgefrompresentappearances。Weshallhavenosplitortroubleaboutthematter；allwillbeharmony。Inrelationtothe"comingevents"

aboutwhichButlerwroteyou，IhadnotheardonewordbeforeI

gotyourletter；butIhavesomuchconfidenceinthejudgmentofButleronsuchasubjectthatIinclinetothinktheremaybesomerealityinit。WhatdaydoesButlerappoint？Bytheway，howdo"events"ofthesamesortcomeoninyourfamily？Areyoupossessinghousesandlands，andoxenandasses，andmen—servantsandmaid—servants，andbegettingsonsanddaughters？Wearenotkeepinghouse，butboardingattheGlobeTavern，whichisverywellkeptnowbyawidowladyofthenameofBeck。Ourroom(thesamethatDr。Wallaceoccupiedthere)andboardingonlycostsusfourdollarsaweek。AnnToddwasmarriedsomethingmorethanayearsincetoafellowbythenameofCampbell，andwho，Marysays，isprettymuchofa"dunce，"thoughhehasalittlemoneyandproperty。TheyliveinBoonville，Missouri，andhavenotbeenheardfromlatelyenoughformetosayanythingaboutherhealth。IreckonitwillscarcelybeinourpowertovisitKentuckythisyear。Besidespovertyandthenecessityofattendingtobusiness，those"comingevents，"Isuspect，wouldbesomewhatintheway。ImostheartilywishyouandyourFannywouldnotfailtocome。Justletusknowthetime，andwewillhavearoomprovidedforyouatourhouse，andallbemerrytogetherforawhile。Besuretogivemyrespectstoyourmotherandfamily；assureherthatifeverIcomenearher，Iwillnotfailtocallandseeher。MaryjoinsinsendinglovetoyourFannyandyou。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

1844

TOGen。J。J。HARDIN。

SPRINGFIELD，May21，1844。

DEARHARDIN：

Knowingthatyouhavecorrespondentsenough，Ihaveforbornetotroubleyouheretofore；andInowonlydosotogetyoutosetamatterrightwhichhasgotwrongwithoneofourbestfriends。

ItisoldUncleThomasCampbellofSpringCreek——(BerlinP。O。)。

Hehasreceivedseveraldocumentsfromyou，andhesaystheyareoldnewspapersanddocuments，havingnosortofinterestinthem。

Heis，therefore，gettingastrongimpressionthatyoutreathimwithdisrespect。This，Iknow，isamistakenimpression；andyoumustcorrectit。Theway，Ileavetoyourself。Rob’tW。

Canfieldsayshewouldliketohaveadocumentortwofromyou。

TheLocos(Democrats)hereareinconsiderabletroubleaboutVanBuren’sletteronTexas，andtheVirginiaelectors。TheyaregrowingsickoftheTariffquestion；andconsequentlyaremuchconfoundedatV。B。’scuttingthemofffromthenewTexasquestion。Nearlyhalftheleaderssweartheywon’tstandit。OfthoseareFord，T。Campbell，Ewing，Calhounandothers。Theydon’texactlysaytheywon’tvoteforV。B。，buttheysayhewillnotbethecandidate，andthattheyareforTexasanyhow。

Aseveryours，A。LINCOLN。

1845

SELECTIONOFCONGRESSIONALCANDIDATES

TOGen。J。J。HARDIN，SPRINGFIELD，Jany。19，1845。

DEARGENERAL：

IdonotwishtojoininyourproposalofanewplanfortheselectionofaWhigcandidateforCongressbecause：

1st。IamentirelysatisfiedwiththeoldsystemunderwhichyouandBakerweresuccessivelynominatedandelectedtoCongress；

andbecausetheWhigsofthedistrictarewellacquaintedwiththesystem，and，sofarasIknoworbelieve，arewellsatisfiedwithit。Iftheoldsystembethoughttobevague，astoallthedelegatesofthecountyvotingthesameway，orastoinstructionstothemastowhomtheyaretovotefor，orastofillingvacancies，Iamwillingtojoininaprovisiontomakethesematterscertain。

2d。Astoyourproposalsthatapollshallbeopenedineveryprecinct，andthatthewholeshalltakeplaceonthesameday，I

donotpersonallyobject。Theyseemtometobenotunfair；andIforbeartojoininproposingthemonlybecauseIchoosetoleavethedecisionineachcountytotheWhigsofthecounty，tobemadeastheirownjudgmentandconveniencemaydictate。

3d。Astoyourproposedstipulationthatallthecandidatesshallremainintheirowncounties，andrestraintheirfriendsinthesameitseemstomethatonreflectionyouwillseethefactofyourhavingbeeninCongresshas，invariousways，sospreadyournameinthedistrictastogiveyouadecidedadvantageinsuchastipulation。Iappreciateyourdesiretokeepdownexcitement；andIpromiseyouto"keepcool"underallcircumstances。

4th。IhavealreadysaidIamsatisfiedwiththeoldsystemunderwhichsuchgoodmenhavetriumphedandthatIdesirenodeparturefromitsprinciples。Butiftheremustbeadeparturefromit，Ishallinsistuponamoreaccurateandjustapportionmentofdelegates，orrepresentativevotes，totheconstituentbody，thanexistsbytheold，andwhichyouproposetoretaininyournewplan。Ifwetaketheentirepopulationofthecountiesasshownbythelatecensus，weshallseebytheoldplan，andbyyourproposednewplan，MorganCounty，withapopulation16，541，hasbut……8votesWhileSangamonwith18，697——2156greaterhasbut……8"

SoScottwith6553has……4"

WhileTazewellwith76151062greaterhasbut……4"

SoMasonwith3135has……1voteWhileLoganwith3907，772greater，hasbut……1"

Andsooninalessdegreethematterrunsthroughallthecounties，beingnotonlywronginprinciple，buttheadvantageofitbeingallmanifestlyinyourfavorwithoneslightexception，inthecomparisonoftwocountiesnotherementioned。

Again，ifwetaketheWhigvotesofthecountiesasshownbythelatePresidentialelectionasabasis，thethingisstillworse。

Itseemstomemostobviousthattheoldsystemneedsadjustmentinnothingsomuchasinthis；andstill，byyourproposal，nonoticeistakenofit。IhavealwaysbeeninthehabitofaccedingtoalmostanyproposalthatafriendwouldmakeandIamtrulysorrythatIcannotinthis。Iperhapsoughttomentionthatsomefriendsatdifferentplacesareendeavoringtosecurethehonorofthesittingoftheconventionattheirtownsrespectively，andIfearthattheywouldnotfeelmuchcomplimentedifweshallmakeabargainthatitshouldsitnowhere。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

TO_________WILLIAMS，SPRINGFIELD，March1，1845。

FRIENDWILLIAMS：

TheSupremeCourtadjournedthismorningfortheterm。YourcasesofReinhardtvs。Schuyler，Buncevs。Schuyler，Dickhutvs。

Dunell，andSullivanvs。Andrewsarecontinued。Hinmanvs。PopeIwroteyouconcerningsometimeago。McNuttetal。vs。BeanandThompsonisreversedandremanded。

Fitzpatrickvs。Bradyetal。isreversedandremandedwithleavetocomplainanttoamendhisbillsoastoshowtherealconsiderationgivenfortheland。

BunceagainstGravesthecourtconfirmed，wherefore，inaccordancewithyourdirections，Imovedtohavethecaseremandedtoenableyoutotakeanewtrialinthecourtbelow。

Thecourtallowedthemotion；ofwhichIamglad，andIguessyouare。

This，Ibelieve，isallastocourtbusiness。ThecanalmenhavegottheirmeasurethroughtheLegislatureprettymuchorquiteintheshapetheydesired。Nothingelsenow。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

ABOLITIONMOVEMENT

TOWILLIAMSONDURLEY。

SPRINGFIELD，October3，1845

WhenIsawyouathome，itwasagreedthatIshouldwritetoyouandyourbrotherMadison。UntilIthensawyouIwasnotawareofyourbeingwhatisgenerallycalledanabolitionist，or，asyoucallyourself，aLibertyman，thoughIwellknewthereweremanysuchinyourcountry。

Iwasgladtohearthatyouintendedtoattempttobringabout，atthenextelectioninPutnam，aUnionoftheWhigsproperandsuchoftheLibertymenasareWhigsinprincipleonallquestionssaveonlythatofslavery。SofarasIcanperceive，bysuchunionneitherpartyneedyieldanythingonthepointindifferencebetweenthem。IftheWhigabolitionistsofNewYorkhadvotedwithuslastfall，Mr。ClaywouldnowbePresident，Whigprinciplesintheascendant，andTexasnotannexed；whereas，bythedivision，allthateitherhadatstakeinthecontestwaslost。And，indeed，itwasextremelyprobable，beforehand，thatsuchwouldbetheresult。AsIalwaysunderstood，theLibertymendeprecatedtheannexationofTexasextremely；andthisbeingso，whytheyshouldrefusetocasttheirvotes[so]astopreventit，eventomeseemedwonderful。Whatwastheirprocessofreasoning，Icanonlyjudgefromwhatasingleoneofthemtoldme。Itwasthis："Wearenottodoevilthatgoodmaycome。"

Thisgeneralpropositionisdoubtlesscorrect；butdiditapply？

Ifbyyourvotesyoucouldhavepreventedtheextension，etc。，ofslaverywoulditnothavebeengood，andnotevil，sotohaveusedyourvotes，eventhoughitinvolvedthecastingofthemforaslaveholder？Bythefruitthetreeistobeknown。Aneviltreecannotbringforthgoodfruit。IfthefruitofelectingMr。

Claywouldhavebeentopreventtheextensionofslavery，couldtheactofelectinghavebeenevil？

ButIwillnotarguefurther。IperhapsoughttosaythatindividuallyIneverwasmuchinterestedintheTexasquestion。

Inevercouldseemuchgoodtocomeofannexation，inasmuchastheywerealreadyafreerepublicanpeopleonourownmodel。Ontheotherhand，Inevercouldveryclearlyseehowtheannexationwouldaugmenttheevilofslavery。Italwaysseemedtomethatslaveswouldbetakenthereinaboutequalnumbers，withorwithoutannexation。Andifmoreweretakenbecauseofannexation，stilltherewouldbejustsomanythefewerleftwheretheyweretakenfrom。Itispossiblytrue，tosomeextent，that，withannexation，someslavesmaybesenttoTexasandcontinuedinslaverythatotherwisemighthavebeenliberated。

Towhateverextentthismaybetrue，Ithinkannexationanevil。

IholdittobeaparamountdutyofusinthefreeStates，duetotheUnionoftheStates，andperhapstolibertyitself(paradoxthoughitmayseem)，tolettheslaveryoftheotherStatesalone；while，ontheotherhand，Iholdittobeequallyclearthatweshouldneverknowinglylendourselves，directlyorindirectly，topreventthatslaveryfromdyinganaturaldeath——

tofindnewplacesforittoliveinwhenitcannolongerexistintheold。OfcourseIamnotnowconsideringwhatwouldbeourdutyincasesofinsurrectionamongtheslaves。TorecurtotheTexasquestion，IunderstandtheLibertymentohaveviewedannexationasamuchgreaterevilthaneverIdid；andIwouldliketoconvinceyou，ifIcould，thattheycouldhavepreventedit，iftheyhadchosen。IintendthisletterforyouandMadisontogether；andifyouandheoreithershallthinkfittodropmealine，Ishallbepleased。

Yourswithrespect，A。LINCOLN。

1846

REQUESTFORPOLITICALSUPPORT

TODr。ROBERTBOAL。

SPRINGFIELD，January7，1846。

Dr。ROBERTBOAL，Lacon，Ill。

DEARDOCTOR：——SinceIsawyoulastfall，Ihaveoftenthoughtofwritingtoyou，asitwasthenunderstoodIwould，but，onreflection，IhavealwaysfoundthatIhadnothingnewtotellyou。AllhashappenedasIthentoldyouIexpecteditwould——

Baker’sdeclining，Hardin’stakingthetrack，andsoon。

IfHardinandIstoodpreciselyequal，ifneitherofushadbeentoCongress，orifwebothhad，itwouldonlyaccordwithwhatI

havealwaysdone，forthesakeofpeace，togivewaytohim；andIexpectIshoulddoit。ThatIcanvoluntarilypostponemypretensions，whentheyarenomorethanequaltothosetowhichtheyarepostponed，youhaveyourselfseen。ButtoyieldtoHardinunderpresentcircumstancesseemstomeasnothingelsethanyieldingtoonewhowouldgladlysacrificemealtogether。

ThisIwouldrathernotsubmitto。ThatHardinistalented，energetic，usuallygenerousandmagnanimous，Ihavebeforethisaffirmedtoyouanddonotdeny。Youknowthatmyonlyargumentisthat"turnaboutisfairplay。"Thishe，practicallyatleast，denies。

Ifitwouldnotbetaxingyoutoomuch，Iwishyouwouldwriteme，tellingtheaspectofthingsinyourcountry，orratheryourdistrict；andalso，sendthenamesofsomeofyourWhigneighbors，towhomImight，withpropriety，write。UnlessIcangetsomeonetodothis，Hardin，withhisoldfrankinglist，willhavetheadvantageofme。Myrelianceforafairshake(andI

wantnothingmore)inyourcountryischieflyonyou，becauseofyourpositionandstanding，andbecauseIamacquaintedwithsofewothers。Letmehearfromyousoon。

Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。

TOJOHNBENNETT。

SPRINGFIELD，Jan。15，1846。

JOHNBENNETT。

FRIENDJOHN：

NathanDresserishere，andspeaksasthoughthecontestbetweenHardinandmeistobedoubtfulinMenardCounty。Iknowheiscandidandthisalarmsmesome。IaskedhimtotellmethenamesofthementhatweregoingstrongforHardin，hesaidMorriswasaboutasstrongasany—nowtellme，isMorrisgoingitopenly？

Yourememberyouwrotemethathewouldbeneutral。Nathanalsosaidthatsomeman，whomhecouldnotremember，hadsaidlatelythatMenardCountywasgoingtodecidethecontestandthatmadethL，contestverydoubtful。Doyouknowwhothatwas？Don’tfailtowritemeinstantlyonreceivingthis，tellingmeall—

particularlythenamesofthosewhoaregoingstrongagainstme。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

TON。J。ROCKWELL。