第9章

ButIhaveintroducedGeneralCass’saccountsherechieflytoshowthewonderfulphysicalcapacitiesoftheman。Theyshowthathenotonlydidthelaborofseveralmenatthesametime，butthatheoftendiditatseveralplaces，manyhundredsofmilesapart，atthesametime。Andateating，too，hiscapacitiesareshowntobequiteaswonderful。FromOctober，1821，toMay，1822，heeattenrationsadayinMichigan，tenrationsadayhereinWashington，andnearfivedollars’worthadayontheroadbetweenthetwoplaces！Andthenthereisanimportantdiscoveryinhisexample——theartofbeingpaidforwhatoneeats，insteadofhavingtopayforit。Hereafterifanyniceyoungmanshouldoweabillwhichhecannotpayinanyotherway，hecanjustboarditout。Mr。Speaker，wehaveallheardoftheanimalstandingindoubtbetweentwostacksofhayandstarvingtodeath。ThelikeofthatwouldneverhappentoGeneralCass。Placethestacksathousandmilesapart，hewouldstandstock—stillmidwaybetweenthem，andeatthembothatonce，andthegreengrassalongthelinewouldbeapttosuffersome，too，atthesametime。ByallmeansmakehimPresident，gentlemen。Hewillfeedyoubounteously——if——ifthereisanyleftafterheshallhavehelpedhimself。

But，asGeneralTayloris，parexel1ence，theherooftheMexicanWar，andasyouDemocratssayweWhigshavealwaysopposedthewar，youthinkitmustbeveryawkwardandembarrassingforustogoforGeneralTaylor。Thedeclarationthatwehavealwaysopposedthewaristrueorfalse，accordingasonemayunderstandtheterm"opposethewar。"Iftosay"thewarwasunnecessarilyandunconstitutionallycommencedbythePresident"beopposingthewar，thentheWhigshaveverygenerallyopposedit。Whenevertheyhavespokenatall，theyhavesaidthis；andtheyhavesaiditonwhathasappearedgoodreasontothem。ThemarchinganarmyintothemidstofapeacefulMexicansettlement，frighteningtheinhabitantsaway，leavingtheirgrowingcropsandotherpropertytodestruction，toyoumayappearaperfectlyamiable，peaceful，unprovokingprocedure；butitdoesnotappearsotous。

Sotocallsuchanact，tousappearsnootherthananaked，impudentabsurdity，andwespeakofitaccordingly。Butif，whenthewarhadbegun，andhadbecomethecauseofthecountry，thegivingofourmoneyandourblood，incommonwithyours，wassupportofthewar，thenitisnottruethatwehavealwaysopposedthewar。Withfewindividualexceptions，youhaveconstantlyhadourvoteshereforallthenecessarysupplies。

And，morethanthis，youhavehadtheservices，theblood，andthelivesofourpoliticalbrethrenineverytrialandoneveryfield。Thebeardlessboyandthematureman，thehumbleandthedistinguished——youhavehadthem。Throughsufferinganddeath，bydiseaseandinbattletheyhaveenduredandfoughtandfellwithyou。ClayandWebstereachgaveason，nevertobereturned。FromtheStateofmyownresidence，besidesotherworthybutlessknownWhignames，wesentMarshall，Morrison，Baker，andHardin；theyallfought，andonefell，andinthefallofthatonewelostourbestWhigman。NorweretheWhigsfewinnumber，orlaggardinthedayofdanger。Inthatfearful，bloody，breathlessstruggleatBuenaVista，whereeachman’shardtaskwastobeatbackfivefoesordiehimself，ofthefivehighofficerswhoperished，fourwereWhigs。

Inspeakingofthis，Imeannoodiouscomparisonbetweenthelion—heartedWhigsandtheDemocratswhofoughtthere。Onotheroccasions，andamongthelowerofficersandprivatesonthatoccasion，Idoubtnottheproportionwasdifferent。Iwishtodojusticetoall。IthinkofallthosebravemenasAmericans，inwhoseproudfame，asanAmerican，Itoohaveashare。Manyofthem，WhigsandDemocratsaremyconstituentsandpersonalfriends；andIthankthem，——morethanthankthem，——oneandall，forthehighimperishablehonortheyhaveconferredonourcommonState。

ButthedistinctionbetweenthecauseofthePresidentinbeginningthewar，andthecauseofthecountryafteritwasbegun，isadistinctionwhichyoucannotperceive。ToyouthePresidentandthecountryseemtobeallone。Youareinterestedtoseenodistinctionbetweenthem；andIventuretosuggestthatprobablyyourinterestblindsyoualittle。Weseethedistinction，aswethink，clearlyenough；andourfriendswhohavefoughtinthewarhavenodifficultyinseeingitalso。

Whatthosewhohavefallenwouldsay，weretheyaliveandhere，ofcoursewecanneverknow；butwiththosewhohavereturnedthereisnodifficulty。ColonelHaskellandMajorGaines，membershere，bothfoughtinthewar，andbothofthemunderwentextraordinaryperilsandhardships；stillthey，likeallotherWhigshere，vote，ontherecord，thatthewarwasunnecessarilyandunconstitutionallycommencedbythePresident。AndevenGeneralTaylorhimself，thenoblestRomanofthemall，hasdeclaredthatasacitizen，andparticularlyasasoldier，itissufficientforhimtoknowthathiscountryisatwarwithaforeignnation，todoallinhispowertobringittoaspeedyandhonorableterminationbythemostvigorousandenergeticoperations，withoutinquiryaboutitsjustice，oranythingelseconnectedwithit。

Mr。Speaker，letourDemocraticfriendsbecomfortedwiththeassurancethatwearecontentwithourposition，contentwithourcompany，andcontentwithourcandidate；andthatalthoughthey，intheirgeneroussympathy，thinkweoughttobemiserable，wereallyarenot，andthattheymaydismissthegreatanxietytheyhaveonouraccount。

Mr。Speaker，IseeIhavebutthreeminutesleft，andthisforcesmetothrowoutonewholebranchofmysubject。Asinglewordonstillanother。TheDemocratsarekeenenoughtofrequentlyremindusthatwehavesomedissensionsinourranks。OurgoodfriendfromBaltimoreimmediatelybeforeme[Mr。McLane]

expressedsomedoubttheotherdayastowhichbranchofourpartyGeneralTaylorwouldultimatelyfallintothehandsof。

Thatwasanewideatome。Iknewwehaddissenters，butIdidnotknowtheyweretryingtogetourcandidateawayfromus。I

wouldliketosayawordtoourdissenters，butIhavenotthetime。Somesuchwecertainlyhave；haveyounone，gentlemenDemocrats？Isitallunionandharmonyinyourranks？nobickerings？nodivisions？Iftherebedoubtastowhichofourdivisionswillgetourcandidate，istherenodoubtastowhichofyourcandidateswillgetyourparty？IhaveheardsomethingsfromNewYork；andiftheyaretrue，onemightwellsayofyourpartythere，asadrunkenfellowoncesaidwhenheheardthereadingofanindictmentforhog—stealing。Theclerkreadontillhegottoandthroughthewords，"didsteal，take，andcarryawaytenboars，tensows，tenshoats，andtenpigs，"atwhichheexclaimed，"Well，bygolly，thatisthemostequallydividedgangofhogsIeverdidhearof！"IfthereisanyothergangofhogsmoreequallydividedthantheDemocratsofNewYorkareaboutthistime，Ihavenotheardofit。

SPEECHDELIVEREDATWORCESTER，MASS。，ON

SEPT。12，1848。

(FromtheBostonAdvertiser。)

Mr。KelloggthenintroducedtothemeetingtheHon。AbramLincoln，WhigmemberofCongressfromIllinois，arepresentativeoffreesoil。

Mr。Lincolnhasaverytallandthinfigure，withanintellectualface，showingasearchingmind，andacooljudgment。Hespokeinaclearandcoolandveryeloquentmanner，foranhourandahalf，carryingtheaudiencewithhiminhisableargumentsandbrilliantillustrations——onlyinterruptedbywarmandfrequentapplause。Hebeganbyexpressingarealfeelingofmodestyinaddressinganaudience"thissideofthemountains，"apartofthecountrywhere，intheopinionofthepeopleofhissection，everybodywassupposedtobeinstructedandwise。ButhehaddevotedhisattentiontothequestionofthecomingPresidentialelection，andwasnotunwillingtoexchangewithallwhomhemighttheideastowhichhehadarrived。HethenbegantoshowthefallacyofsomeoftheargumentsagainstGen。Taylor，makinghischiefthemethefashionablestatementofallthosewhoopposehim("theoldLocofocosaswellasthenew")thathehasnoprinciples，andthattheWhigpartyhaveabandonedtheirprinciplesbyadoptinghimastheircandidate。HemaintainedthatGen。TayloroccupiedahighandunexceptionableWhigground，andtookforhisfirstinstanceandproofofthisthestatementintheAllisonletter——withregardtothebank，tariff，riversandharbors，etc。——thatthewillofthepeopleshouldproduceitsownresults，withoutexecutiveinfluence。Theprinciplethatthepeopleshoulddowhat——undertheConstitution—

—astheyplease，isaWhigprinciple。AllthatGen。Taylorisnotonlytoconsentto，butappealtothepeopletojudgeandactforthemselves。AndthiswasnonewdoctrineforWhigs。Itwasthe"platform"onwhichtheyhadfoughtalltheirbattles，theresistanceofexecutiveinfluence，andtheprincipleofenablingthepeopletoframethegovernmentaccordingtotheirwill。Gen。

Taylorconsentstobethecandidate，andtoassistthepeopletodowhattheythinktobetheirduty，andthinktobebestintheirnationalaffairs，butbecausehedon’twanttotellwhatweoughttodo，heisaccusedofhavingnoprinciples。TheWhigsheremaintainedforyearsthatneithertheinfluence，theduress，ortheprohibitionoftheexecutiveshouldcontrolthelegitimatelyexpressedwillofthepeople；andnowthat，onthatveryground，Gen。Taylorsaysthatheshouldusethepowergivenhimbythepeopletodo，tothebestofhisjudgment，thewillofthepeople，heisaccusedofwantofprinciple，andofinconsistencyinposition。

Mr。Lincolnproceededtoexaminetheabsurdityofanattempttomakeaplatformorcreedforanationalparty，toallpartsofwhichallmustconsentandagree，whenitwasclearlytheintentionandthetruephilosophyofourgovernment，thatinCongressallopinionsandprinciplesshouldberepresented，andthatwhenthewisdomofallhadbeencomparedandunited，thewillofthemajorityshouldbecarriedout。Onthisgroundheconceived(andtheaudienceseemedtogowithhim)thatGen。

Taylorheldcorrect，soundrepublicanprinciples。

Mr。LincolnthenpassedtothesubjectofslaveryintheStates，sayingthatthepeopleofIllinoisagreedentirelywiththepeopleofMassachusettsonthissubject，exceptperhapsthattheydidnotkeepsoconstantlythinkingaboutit。Allagreedthatslaverywasanevil，butthatwewerenotresponsibleforitandcannotaffectitinStatesofthisUnionwherewedonotlive。

Butthequestionoftheextensionofslaverytonewterritoriesofthiscountryisapartofourresponsibilityandcare，andisunderourcontrol。InoppositiontothisMr。L。believedthattheself—named"FreeSoil"partywasfarbehindtheWhigs。Bothpartiesopposedtheextension。Asheunderstooditthenewpartyhadnoprincipleexceptthisopposition。Iftheirplatformheldanyother，itwasinsuchageneralwaythatitwaslikethepairofpantaloonstheYankeepedlarofferedforsale，"largeenoughforanyman，smallenoughforanyboy。"Theythereforehadtakenapositioncalculatedtobreakdowntheirsingleimportantdeclaredobject。TheywereworkingfortheelectionofeitherGen。CassorGen。Taylor。Thespeakerthenwentontoshow，clearlyandeloquently，thedangerofextensionofslavery，likelytoresultfromtheelectionofGen。Cass。Tounitewiththosewhoannexedthenewterritorytopreventtheextensionofslaveryinthatterritoryseemedtohimtobeinthehighestdegreeabsurdandridiculous。SupposethesegentlemensucceedinelectingMr。VanBuren，theyhadnospecificmeanstopreventtheextensionofslaverytoNewMexicoandCalifornia，andGen。

Taylor，heconfidentlybelieved，wouldnotencourageit，andwouldnotprohibititsrestriction。ButifGen。Casswaselected，hefeltcertainthattheplansoffartherextensionofterritorywouldbeencouraged，andthoseoftheextensionofslaverywouldmeetnocheck。The"FreeSoil"martinclaimingthatnameindirectlyattemptsadeception，byimplyingthatWhigswerenotFreeSoilmen。Declaringthattheywould"dotheirdutyandleavetheconsequencestoGod"merelygaveanexcusefortakingacoursetheywerenotabletomaintainbyafairandfullargument。Tomakethisdeclarationdidnotshowwhattheirdutywas。Ifitdidweshouldhavenouseforjudgment，wemightaswellbemadewithoutintellect；andwhendivineorhumanlawdoesnotclearlypointoutwhatisourduty，wehavenomeansoffindingoutwhatitisbutbyusingourmostintelligentjudgmentoftheconsequences。IfthereweredivinelaworhumanlawforvotingforMartinVanBuren，orifa，fairexaminationoftheconsequencesandjustreasoningwouldshowthatvotingforhimwouldbringabouttheendstheypretendedtowish——thenhewouldgiveuptheargument。Butsincetherewasnofixedlawonthesubject，andsincethewholeprobableresultoftheiractionwouldbeanassistanceinelectingGen。Cass，hemustsaythattheywerebehindtheWhigsintheiradvocacyofthefreedomofthesoil。

Mr。LincolnproceededtorallytheBuffaloconventionforforbearingtosayanything——afterallthepreviousdeclarationsofthosememberswhowereformerlyWhigs——onthesubjectoftheMexicanWar，becausetheVanBurenshadbeenknowntohavesupportedit。Hedeclaredthatofallthepartiesaskingtheconfidenceofthecountry，thisnewonehadlessofprinciplethananyother。

HewonderedwhetheritwasstilltheopinionoftheseFreeSoilgentlemen，asdeclaredinthe"whereas"atBuffalo，thattheWhigandDemocraticpartieswerebothentirelydissolvedandabsorbedintotheirownbody。HadtheVermontelectiongiventhemanylight？TheyhadcalculatedonmakingasgreatanimpressioninthatStateasinanypartoftheUnion，andtheretheirattemptshadbeenwhollyineffectual。TheirfailurewasagreatersuccessthantheywouldfindinanyotherpartoftheUnion。

Mr。LincolnwentontosaythathehonestlybelievedthatallthosewhowishedtokeepupthecharacteroftheUnion；whodidnotbelieveinenlargingourfield，butinkeepingourfenceswheretheyareandcultivatingourpresentpossessions，makingitagarden，improvingthemoralsandeducationofthepeople，devotingtheadministrationstothispurpose；allrealWhigs，friendsofgoodhonestgovernment——theracewasours。HehadopportunitiesofhearingfromalmosteverypartoftheUnionfromreliablesourcesandhadnotheardofacountyinwhichwehadnotreceivedaccessionsfromotherparties。IfthetrueWhigscomeforwardandjointhesenewfriends，theyneednothaveadoubt。Wehadacandidatewhosepersonalcharacterandprincipleshehadalreadydescribed，whomhecouldnoteulogizeifhewould。Gen。Taylorhadbeenconstantly，perseveringly，quietlystandingup，doinghisdutyandaskingnopraiseorrewardforit。Hewasandmustbejustthemantowhomtheinterests，principles，andprosperityofthecountrymightbesafelyintrusted。Hehadneverfailedinanythinghehadundertaken，althoughmanyofhisdutieshadbeenconsideredalmostimpossible。

Mr。LincolnthenwentintoatersethoughrapidreviewoftheoriginoftheMexicanWarandtheconnectionoftheadministrationandGeneralTaylorwithit，fromwhichhededucedastrongappealtotheWhigspresenttodotheirdutyinthesupportofGeneralTaylor，andclosedwiththewarmestaspirationsforandconfidenceinadeservedsuccess。

Atthecloseofhistrulymasterlyandconvincingspeech，theaudiencegavethreeenthusiasticcheersforIllinois，andthreemorefortheeloquentWhigmemberfromtheState。

HISFATHER’SREQUESTFORMONEY

TOTHOMASLINCOLN

WASHINGTON，Dec。24，1848。

MYDEARFATHER：——Yourletterofthe7thwasreceivednightbeforelast。Iverycheerfullysendyouthetwentydollars，whichsumyousayisnecessarytosaveyourlandfromsale。Itissingularthatyoushouldhaveforgottenajudgmentagainstyou；anditismoresingularthattheplaintiffshouldhaveletyouforgetitsolong；particularlyasIsupposeyoualwayshadpropertyenoughtosatisfyajudgmentofthatamount。Beforeyoupayit，itwouldbewelltobesureyouhavenotpaid，oratleast，thatyoucannotproveyouhavepaidit。

Givemylovetomotherandalltheconnections。Affectionatelyyourson，A。LINCOLN。

1849

BILLTOABOLISHSLAVERYINTHE

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA

Resolved，ThattheCommitteeontheDistrictofColumbiabeinstructedtoreportabillinsubstanceasfollows：

Sec。1。BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStates，inCongressassembled，ThatnopersonnotnowwithintheDistrictofColumbia，nornowownedbyanypersonorpersonsnowresidentwithinit，norhereafterbornwithinit，shalleverbeheldinslaverywithinsaidDistrict。

Sec。2。ThatnopersonnowwithinsaidDistrict，ornowownedbyanypersonorpersonsnowresidentwithinthesame，orhereafterbornwithinit，shalleverbeheldinslaverywithoutthelimitsofsaidDistrict：Provided，ThatofficersoftheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates，beingcitizensoftheslaveholdingStates，comingintosaidDistrictonpublicbusiness，andremainingonlysolongasmaybereasonablynecessaryforthatobject，maybeattendedintoandoutofsaidDistrict，andwhilethere，bythenecessaryservantsofthemselvesandtheirfamilies，withouttheirrighttoholdsuchservantsinservicebeingtherebyimpaired。

Sec。3。ThatallchildrenbornofslavemotherswithinsaidDistrict，onorafterthefirstdayofJanuary，intheyearofourLordeighteenhundredandfifty，shallbefree；butshallbereasonablysupportedandeducatedbytherespectiveownersoftheirmothers，orbytheirheirsorrepresentatives，andshallowereasonableserviceasapprenticestosuchowners，heirs，orrepresentatives，untiltheyrespectivelyarriveattheageof__

years，whentheyshallbeentirelyfree；andthemunicipalauthoritiesofWashingtonandGeorgetown，withintheirrespectivejurisdictionallimits，areherebyempoweredandrequiredtomakeallsuitableandnecessaryprovisionforenforcingobediencetothissection，onthepartofbothmastersandapprentices。

Sec。4。ThatallpersonsnowwithinthisDistrict，lawfullyheldasslaves，ornowownedbyanypersonorpersonsnowresidentwithinsaidDistrict，shallremainsuchatthewilloftheirrespectiveowners，theirheirs，andlegalrepresentatives：

Provided，Thatsuchowner，orhislegalrepresentative，mayatanytimereceivefromtheTreasuryoftheUnitedStatesthefullvalueofhisorherslave，oftheclassinthissectionmentioned，uponwhichsuchslaveshallbeforthwithandforeverfree：Andprovidedfurther，ThatthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，theSecretaryofState，andtheSecretaryoftheTreasuryshallbeaboardfordeterminingthevalueofsuchslavesastheirownersmaydesiretoemancipateunderthissection，andwhosedutyitshallbetoholdasessionforthepurposeonthefirstMondayofeachcalendarmonth，toreceiveallapplications，and，onsatisfactoryevidenceineachcasethatthepersonpresentedforvaluationisaslave，andoftheclassinthissectionmentioned，andisownedbytheapplicant，shallvaluesuchslaveathisorherfullcashvalue，andgivetotheapplicantanorderontheTreasuryfortheamount，andalsotosuchslaveacertificateoffreedom。

Sec。5。ThatthemunicipalauthoritiesofWashingtonandGeorgetown，withintheirrespectivejurisdictionallimits，areherebyempoweredandrequiredtoprovideactiveandefficientmeanstoarrestanddeliveruptotheirownersallfugitiveslavesescapingintosaidDistrict。

Sec。6。ThattheelectionofficerswithinsaidDistrictofColumbiaareherebyempoweredandrequiredtoopenpolls，atalltheusualplacesofholdingelections，onthefirstMondayofAprilnext，andreceivethevoteofeveryfreewhitemalecitizenabovetheageoftwenty—oneyears，havingresidedwithinsaidDistrictfortheperiodofoneyearormorenextprecedingthetimeofsuchvotingfororagainstthisact，toproceedintakingsaidvotes，inallrespectsnothereinspecified，asatelectionsunderthemunicipallaws，andwithaslittledelayaspossibletotransmitcorrectstatementsofthevotessocasttothePresidentoftheUnitedStates；anditshallbethedutyofthePresidenttocanvasssaidvotesimmediately，andifamajorityofthembefoundtobeforthisact，toforthwithissuehisproclamationgivingnoticeofthefact；andthisactshallonlybeinfullforceandeffectonandafterthedayofsuchproclamation。

Sec。7。Thatinvoluntaryservitudeforthepunishmentofcrime，whereofthepartyshallhavebeendulyconvicted，shallinnowisebeprohibitedbythisact。

Sec。8。Thatforallthepurposesofthisact，thejurisdictionallimitsofWashingtonareextendedtoallpartsoftheDistrictofColumbianotnowincludedwithinthepresentlimitsofGeorgetown。

BILLGRANTINGLANDSTOTHESTATESTOMAKERAILWAYSANDCANALS

REMARKSINTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，FEBRUARY13，1849。

Mr。Lincolnsaidhehadnotrisenforthepurposeofmakingaspeech，butonlyforthepurposeofmeetingsomeoftheobjectionstothebill。Ifheunderstoodthoseobjections，thefirstwasthatifthebillweretobecomealaw，itwouldbeusedtolocklargeportionsofthepubliclandsfromsale，withoutatlasteffectingtheostensibleobjectofthebill——theconstructionofrailroadsinthenewStates；andsecondly，thatCongresswouldbeforcedtotheabandonmentoflargeportionsofthepubliclandstotheStatesforwhichtheymightbereserved，withouttheirpayingforthem。ThisheunderstoodtobethesubstanceoftheobjectionsofthegentlemanfromOhiotothepassageofthebill。

IfhecouldgettheattentionoftheHouseforafewminutes，hewouldaskgentlementotelluswhatmotivecouldinduceanyStateLegislature，orindividual，orcompanyofindividuals，ofthenewStates，toexpendmoneyinsurveyingroadswhichtheymightknowtheycouldnotmake。

[Avoice：Theyarenotrequiredtomaketheroad。)

Mr。Lincolncontinued：Thatwasnotthecasehewasmaking。Whatmotivewouldtemptanysetofmentogointoanextensivesurveyofarailroadwhichtheydidnotintendtomake？Whatgoodwoulditdo？Didmenactwithoutmotive？Didbusinessmencommonlygointoanexpenditureofmoneywhichcouldbeofnoaccounttothem？Hegenerallyfoundthatmenwhohavemoneyweredisposedtoholdontoit，unlesstheycouldseesomethingtobemadebyitsinvestment。HecouldnotseewhatmotiveofadvantagetothenewStatescouldbesubservedbymerelykeepingthepubliclandsoutofmarket，andpreventingtheirsettlement。Asfarashecouldsee，thenewStateswerewhollywithoutanymotivetodosuchathing。This，then，hetooktobeagoodanswertothefirstobjection。

Inrelationtothefactassumed，thatafterawhile，thenewStateshavinggotholdofthepubliclandstoacertainextent，theywouldturnroundandcompelCongresstorelinquishallclaimtothem，hehadawordtosay，bywayofrecurringtothehistoryofthepast。Whenwasthetimetocome(heasked)whentheStatesinwhichthepubliclandsweresituatedwouldcomposeamajorityoftherepresentationinCongress，oranythinglikeit？

AmajorityofRepresentativeswouldverysoonresidewestofthemountains，headmitted；butwouldtheyallcomefromStatesinwhichthepubliclandsweresituated？Theycertainlywouldnot；

for，astheseWesternStatesgrewstronginCongress，thepubliclandspassedawayfromthem，andtheygotontheothersideofthequestion；andthegentlemanfromOhio[Mr。Vinton]wasanexampleattestingthatfact。

Mr。Vintoninterruptedheretosaythathehadstoodonthisquestionjustwherehewasnow，forfiveandtwentyyears。

Mr。Lincolnwasnotmakinganargumentforthepurposeofconvictingthegentlemanofanyimproprietyatall。Hewasspeakingofafactinhistory，ofwhichhisStatewasanexample。

Hewasreferringtoaplainprincipleinthenatureofthings。

TheStateofOhiohadnowgrowntobeagiant。Shehadalargedelegationonthatfloor；butwasshenowinfavorofgrantinglandstothenewStates，assheusedtobe？TheNewEnglandStates，NewYork，andtheOldThirteenwereallratherquietuponthesubject；anditwasseenjustnowthatamemberfromoneofthenewStateswasthefirstmantoriseupinopposition。Andsuchwouldbewiththehistoryofthisquestionforthefuture。

ThereneverwouldcomeatimewhenthepeopleresidingintheStatesembracingthepubliclandswouldhavetheentirecontrolofthissubject；andsoitwasamatterofcertaintythatCongresswouldneverdomoreinthisrespectthanwhatwouldbedictatedbyajustliberality。Theapprehension，therefore，thatthepubliclandswereindangerofbeingwrestedfromtheGeneralGovernmentbythestrengthofthedelegationinCongressfromthenewStates，wasutterlyfutile。Therenevercouldbesuchathing。Ifwetaketheselands(saidhe)itwillnotbewithoutyourconsent。Wecanneveroutnumberyou。TheresultisthatallfearofthenewStatesturningagainsttherightofCongresstothepublicdomainmustbeeffectuallyquelled，asthosewhoareopposedtothatinterestmustalwaysholdavastmajorityhere，andtheywillneversurrenderthewholeoranypartofthepubliclandsunlesstheythemselveschoosetodoso。Thatwasallhedesiredtosay。

ONFEDERALPOLITICALAPPOINTMENTS

TOTHESECRETARYOFTHETREASURY。

WASHINGTON，March9，1849。

HON。SECRETARYOFTHETREASURY。

DEARSIR：Co1onelR。D。BakerandmyselfaretheonlyWhigmembersofCongressfromIllinoisoftheThirtieth，andheoftheThirty—first。WehavereasontothinktheWhigsofthatStateholdusresponsible，tosomeextent，fortheappointmentswhichmaybemadeofourcitizens。Wedonotknowyoupersonally，andoureffortstoyouhavesofarbeenunavailing。IthereforehopeIamnotobtrusiveinsayinginthisway，forhimandmyself，thatwhenacitizenofIllinoisistobeappointedinyourdepartment，toanofficeeitherinoroutoftheState，wemostrespectfullyasktobeheard。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

MOREPOLITICALPATRONAGEREQUESTS

TOTHESECRETARYOFSTATE。

WASHINGTON，March10，1849。

HON。SECRETARYOFSTATE。

SIR：——ThereareseveralapplicantsfortheofficeofUnitedStatesMarshalfortheDistrictofIllinois。AmongthemostprominentofthemareBenjaminBond，Esq。，ofCarlyle，andThomas，Esq。，ofGalena。Mr。BondIknowtobepersonallyeverywayworthyoftheoffice；andheisverynumerouslyandmostrespectablyrecommended。HispapersIsendtoyou；andIsolicitforhisclaimsafullandfairconsideration。

Havingsaidthismuch，IaddthatinmyindividualjudgmenttheappointmentofMr。Thomaswouldbethebetter。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

(IndorsedonMr。Bond’spapers。)

InthisandtheaccompanyingenvelopearetherecommendationsofabouttwohundredgoodcitizensofallpartsofIllinois，thatBenjaminBondbeappointedmarshalforthatdistrict。TheyincludethenamesofnearlyallourWhigswhonoware，orhaveeverbeen，membersoftheStateLegislature，besidesforty—sixoftheDemocraticmembersofthepresentLegislature，andmanyothergoodcitizens。IaddthatfrompersonalknowledgeIconsiderMr。

Bondeverywayworthyoftheoffice，andqualifiedtofillit。

Holdingtheindividualopinionthattheappointmentofadifferentgentlemanwouldbebetter，Iaskespecialattentionandconsiderationforhisclaims，andfortheopinionsexpressedinhisfavorbythoseoverwhomIcanclaimnosuperiority。

A。LINCOLN。

TOTHESECRETARYOFTHEINTERIOR

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，April7，1849

HON。SECRETARYOFTHEHOMEDEPARTMENT。

DEARSIR：——IrecommendthatWalterDavisbeappointedreceiveroftheland—officeatthisplace，wheneverthereshallbeavacancy。

IcannotsaythatMr。Herndon，thepresentincumbent，hasfailedintheproperdischargeofanyofthedutiesoftheoffice。Heisaverywarmpartisan，andopenlyandactivelyopposedtotheelectionofGeneralTaylor。IalsounderstandthatsinceGeneralTaylor’selectionhehasreceivedareappointmentfromMr。Polk，hisoldcommissionnothavingexpired。Whetherthisistruetherecordsofthedepartmentwillshow。ImayaddthattheWhigsherealmostuniversallydesirehisremoval。

Igivenoopinionofmyown，butstatethefacts，andexpressthehopethatthedepartmentwillactinthisasinallothercasesonsomepropergeneralrule。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

P。S。——Thelanddistricttowhichthisofficebelongsisverynearlyifnotentirelywithinmydistrict；sothatColonelBaker，theotherWhigrepresentative，claimsnovoiceintheappointment。

A。L。

TOTHESECRETARYOFTHEINTERIOR。

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，April7，1849。

HON。SECRETARYOFTHEHOMEDEPARTMENT。

DEARSIR：——IrecommendthatTurnerR。King，nowofPekin，Illinois，beappointedregisteroftheland—officeatthisplacewheneverthereshallbeavacancy。

IdonotknowthatMr。Barret，thepresentincumbent，hasfailedintheproperdischargeofanyofhisdutiesintheoffice。Heisadecidedpartisan，andopenlyandactivelyopposedtheelectionofGeneralTaylor。Iunderstand，too，thatsincetheelectionofGeneralTaylor，Mr。BarrethasreceivedareappointmentfromMr。Polk，hisoldcommissionnothavingexpired。Whetherthisbetrue，therecordsofthedepartmentwillshow。

WhetherheshouldberemovedIgivenoopinion，butmerelyexpressthewishthatthedepartmentmayactuponsomepropergeneralrule，andthatMr。Barret’scasemaynotbemadeanexceptiontoit。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

P。S。—Thelanddistricttowhichthisofficebelongsisverynearlyifnotentirelywithinmydistrict；sothatColonelBaker，theotherWhigrepresentative，claimsnovoiceintheappointment。

A。L。

TOTHEPOSTMASTER—GENERAL。

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，April7，1849。

HON。POSTMASTER—GENERAL。

DEARSir：——IrecommendthatAbnerY。Ellisbeappointedpostmasteratthisplace，wheneverthereshallbeavacancy。J。

R。Diller，thepresentincumbent，Icannotsayhasfailedintheproperdischargeofanyofthedutiesoftheoffice。He，however，hasbeenanactivepartisaninoppositiontous。

LocatedattheseatofgovernmentoftheState，hehasbeen，forpartifnotthewholeofthetimehehasheldtheoffice，amemberoftheDemocraticStateCentralCommittee，signinghisnametotheiraddressesandmanifestoes；andhasbeen，asI

understand，reappointedbyMr。PolksinceGeneralTaylor’selection。ThesearethefactsofthecaseasIunderstandthem，andIgivenoopinionofmineastowhetherheshouldorshouldnotberemoved。Mywishisthatthedepartmentmayadoptsomepropergeneralruleforsuchcases，andthatMr。Dillermaynotbemadeanexceptiontoit，onewayortheother。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

P。S。——Thisoffice，withitsdelivery，isentirelywithinmydistrict；sothatColonelBaker，theotherWhigrepresentative，claimsnovoiceintheappointment。L。

TOTHESECRETARYOFTHEINTERIOR。

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，April7，1849。

HON。SECRETARYOFTHEHOMEDEPARTMENT。

DEARSIR：——IrecommendthatWilliamButlerbeappointedpensionagentfortheIllinoisagency，whentheplaceshallbevacant。

Mr。Hurst，thepresentincumbent，Ibelievehasperformedthedutiesverywell。Heisadecidedpartisan，andIbelieveexpectstoberemoved。Whetherheshall，Isubmittothedepartment。Thisofficeisnotconfinedtomydistrict，butpertainstothewholeState；sothatColonelBakerhasanequalrightwithmyselftobeheardconcerningit。However，theofficeislocatedhere；andIthinkitisnotprobablethatanyonewoulddesiretoremovefromadistancetotakeit。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

TOTHOMPSON。

SPRINGFIELD，April25，1849。

DEARTHOMPSON：

AtiradeisstillkeptupagainstmehereforrecommendingT。R。

King。ThismorningitisopenlyavowedthatmysupposedinfluenceatWashingtonshallbebrokendowngenerally，andKing’sprospectsdefeatedinparticular。Now，whatIhavedoneinthismatterIhavedoneattherequestofyouandsomeotherfriendsinTazewell；andIthereforeaskyoutoeitheradmititiswrongorcomeforwardandsustainme。Ifthetruthwillpermit，Iproposethatyousustainmeinthefollowingmanner：

copytheinclosedscrapinyourownhandwritingandgeteverybody(notthreeorfour，butthreeorfourhundred)tosignit，andthensendittome。Also，havesix，eightortenofourbestknownWhigfriendstherewritetomeindividualletters，statingthetruthinthismatterastheyunderstandit。Don’tneglectordelayinthematter。Iunderstandinformationofanindictmenthavingbeenfoundagainsthimaboutthreeyearsago，forgamingorkeepingagaminghouse，hasbeensenttothedepartment。I

shalltrytotakecareofitatthedepartmenttillyouractioncanbehadandforwardedon。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

TOTHESECRETARYOFTHEINTERIOR。

SPRINGFIELDILLINOIS。May10，1849。

HON。SECRETARYOFTHEINTERIOR。

DEARSIR：——Iregrettroublingyousoofteninrelationtotheland—officeshere，butIhopeyouwillperceivethenecessityofit，andexcuseme。Onthe7thofAprilIwroteyourecommendingTurnerR。Kingforregister，andWalterDavisforreceiver。

SubsequentlyIwroteyouthat，foraprivatereason，Ihadconcludedtotransposethem。Thatprivatereasonwastherequestofanoldpersonalfriendwhohimselfdesiredtobereceiver，butwhomIfeltitmydutytorefusearecommendation。HesaidifI

wouldtransposeKingandDavishewouldbesatisfied。Ithoughtitawhim，but，anxioustoobligehim，Iconsented。ImmediatelyhecommencedanassaultuponKing’scharacter，intending，asI

suppose，todefeathisappointment，andtherebysecureanotherchanceforhimself。ThisdoubleoffenceofbadfaithtomeandslanderuponagoodmanissototallyoutrageousthatInowasktohaveKingandDavisplacedasIoriginallyrecommended，——thatis，KingforregisterandDavisforreceiver。

AneffortisbeingmadenowtohaveMr。Barret，thepresentregister，retained。Ihavealreadysaidhehasdonethedutiesoftheofficewell，andInowaddheisagentlemaninthetruesense。Still，hesubmitstobetheinstrumentofhispartytoinjureus。Hishighcharacterenableshimtodoitmoreeffectually。LastyearhepresidedattheconventionwhichnominatedtheDemocraticcandidateforCongressinthisdistrict，andafterwardranfortheStateSenatehimself，notdesiringtheseat，butavowedlytoaidandstrengthenhisparty。HemadespeechafterspeechwithadegreeoffiercenessandcoarsenessagainstGeneralTaylornotquiteconsistentwithhishabituallygentlemanlydeportment。Atleastone(andIthinkmore)ofthosewhoarenowtryingtohavehimretainedwashimselfanapplicantforthisveryoffice，and，failingtogetmyrecommendation，nowtakesthisturn。

Inwritingyouathirdtimeinrelationtotheseoffices，I

statedthatIsupposedchargeshadbeenforwardedtoyouagainstKing，andthatIwouldinquireintothetruthofthem。InowsendyouherewithwhatIsupposewillbeanampledefenseagainstanysuchcharges。Iaskattentiontoallthepapers，butparticularlytothelettersofMr。DavidMack，andthepaperwiththelonglistofnames。ThereisnomistakeaboutKing’sbeingagoodman。Aftertheunjustassaultuponhim，andconsideringthejustclaimsofTazewellCounty，asindicatedinthelettersI

incloseyou，itwouldinmyopinionbeinjustice，andwithalablunder，nottoappointhim，atleastassoonasanyoneisappointedtoeitheroftheofficeshere。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

TOJ。GILLESPIE。

SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，May19，1849。

DEARGILLESPIE：

ButterfieldwillbecommissioneroftheGen’lLandOffice，unlesspreventedbystrongandspeedyefforts。Ewingisforhim，andheisonlynotappointedyetbecauseOldZach。hangsfire。

Ihavereliableinformationofthis。Now，ifyouagreewithmethatthisappointmentwoulddissatisfyratherthangratifytheWhigsofthisState，thatitwouldslackentheirenergiesinfuturecontests，thathisappointmentin’41isanoldsorewiththemwhichtheywillnotpatientlyhavereopened，——inawordthathisappointmentnowwouldbeafatalblundertotheadministrationandourpoliticalmenhereinIllinois，writeCrittendentothateffect。Hecancontrolthematter。WereyoutowriteEwingIfearthePresidentwouldneverhearofyourletter。Thismaybemeresuspicion。YoumightwritedirectlytoOldZach。Youwillbethebestjudgeoftheproprietyofthat。

Notamoment’stimeistobelost。

LetthisbeconfidentialexceptwithMr。EdwardsandafewotherswhomyouknowIwouldtrustjustasIdoyou。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

REQUESTFORGENERALLAND—OFICEAPPPOINTMENT

TOE。EMBREE。

[Confidential]

SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，May25，1849。

HON。E。EMBREE

DEARSIR：——Iamabouttoaskafavorofyou，onewhichIhopewillnotcostyoumuch。IunderstandtheGeneralLand—OfficeisabouttobegiventoIllinois，andthatMr。EwingdesiresJustinButterfield，ofChicago，tobetheman。Igiveyoumyword，theappointmentofMr。Butterfieldwillbeanegregiouspoliticalblunder。ItwillgiveoffencetothewholeWhigpartyhere，andbeworsethanadeadlosstotheadministrationofsomuchofitspatronage。Now，ifyoucanconscientiouslydoso，IwishyoutowriteGeneralTayloratonce，sayingthateitherIorthemanI

recommendshouldinyouropinionbeappointedtothatoffice，ifanyonefromIllinoisshallbe。IrestrictmyrequesttoIllinoisbecauseyoumayhaveamanfromyourownState，andIdonotasktointerferewiththat。

Yourfriendasever，A。LINCOLN。

REQUESTFORAPATENT

IMPROVEDMETHODOFLIFTINGVESSELSOVERSHOALS。

ApplicationforPatent：

WhatIclaimasmyinvention，anddesiretosecurebyletterspatent，isthecombinationofexpansiblebuoyantchambersplacedatthesidesofavesselwiththemainshaftorshaftsbymeansoftheslidingspars，whichpassdownthroughthebuoyantchambersandaremadefasttotheirbottomsandtheseriesofropesandpulleysortheirequivalentsinsuchamannerthatbyturningthemainshaftorshaftsinonedirectionthebuoyantchamberswillbeforceddownwardintothewater，andatthesametimeexpandedandfilledwithairforbuoyingupthevesselbythedisplacementofwater，andbyturningtheshaftsinanoppositedirectionthebuoyantchamberswillbecontractedintoasmallspaceandsecuredagainstinjury。

A。LINCOLN。

TOTHESECRETARYOFINTERIOR。

SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，June3，1849

HON。SECRETARYOFINTERIOR。

DEARSIR：——Vandalia，thereceiver’sofficeatwhichplaceisthesubjectofthewithin，isnotinmydistrict；andIhavebeenmuchperplexedtoexpressanypreferencebetweenDr。StappandMr。Remann。Ifanyonemanisbetterqualifiedforsuchanofficethanallothers，Dr。Stappisthatman；still，IbelievealargemajorityoftheWhigsofthedistrictpreferMr。Remann，whoalsoisagoodman。PerhapsthepapersonfilewillenableyoutojudgebetterthanIcan。Thewritersofthewithinaregoodmen，residingwithinthelanddistrict。

Yourobt。servant，A。LINCOLN。

TOW。H。HERNDON。

SPRINGFIELD，June5，1849。

DEARWILLIAM：——Yourtwoletterswerereceivedlastnight。Ihaveagreatmanyletterstowrite，andsocannotwriteverylongones。TheremustbesomemistakeaboutWalterDavissayingI

promisedhimthepost—office。Ididnotsopromisehim。Ididtellhimthatifthedistributionoftheofficesshouldfallintomyhands，heshouldhavesomething；andifIshallbeconvincedhehassaidanymorethanthis，Ishallbedisappointed。Isaidthismuchtohimbecause，asIunderstand，heisofgoodcharacter，isoneoftheyoungmen，isofthemechanics，andalwaysfaithfulandnevertroublesome；aWhig，andispoor，withthesupportofawidowmotherthrownalmostexclusivelyonhimbythedeathofhisbrother。Ifthesearewrongreasons，thenI

havebeenwrong；butIhavecertainlynotbeenselfishinit，becauseinmygreatestneedoffriendshewasagainstme，andforBaker。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

P。S。Lettheabovebeconfidential。

TOJ。GILLESPIE。

DEARGILLESPIE：

Mr。EdwardsisunquestionablyoffendedwithmeinconnectionwiththematteroftheGeneralLand—Office。Hewrotealetteragainstmewhichwasfiledatthedepartment。

Thebetterpartofone’slifeconsistsofhisfriendships；and，ofthem，minewithMr。Edwardswasoneofthemostcherished。I

havenotbeenfalsetoit。AtawordIcouldhavehadtheofficeanytimebeforethedepartmentwascommittedtoMr。Butterfield，atleastMr。EwingandthePresidentsayasmuch。ThatwordI

forboretospeak，partlyforotherreasons，butchieflyforMr。

Edwards’sake，losingtheoffice(thathemightgainit)Iwasalwaysfor；buttolosehisfriendship，bytheeffortforhim，wouldoppressmeverymuch，wereInotsustainedbytheutmostconsciousnessofrectitude。Ifirstdeterminedtobeanapplicant，unconditionally，onthe2ndofJune；andIdidsothenuponbeinginformedbyatelegraphicdespatchthatthequestionwasnarroweddowntoMr。Bandmyself，andthattheCabinethadpostponedtheappointmentthreeweeks，formybenefit。NotdoubtingthatMr。EdwardswaswhollyoutofthequestionI，nevertheless，wouldnotthenhavebecomeanapplicanthadI

supposedhewouldtherebybebroughttosuspectmeoftreacherytohim。TwoorthreedaysafterwardsaconversationwithLeviDavisconvincedmeMr。Edwardswasdissatisfied；butIwasthentoofarintogetout。Hisownletter，writtenonthe25thofApril，afterIhadfullyinformedhimofallthathadpassed，uptowithinafewdaysofthattime，gaveassuranceIhadthatentireconfidencefromhimwhichIfeltmyuniformandstrongfriendshipforhimentitledmeto。Amongotherthingsitsays，"Whatevercourseyourjudgmentmaydictateaspropertobepursued，shallneverbeexceptedtobyme。"IalsohadhadaletterfromWashington，sayingChambers，oftheRepublic，hadbroughtarumorthen，thatMr。Ehaddeclinedinmyfavor，whichrumorIjudgedcamefromMr。Ehimself，asIhadnotthenbreathedofhislettertoanylivingcreature。InsayingIhadnever，beforethe2ndofJune，determinedtobeanapplicant，unconditionally，Imeantoadmitthat，beforethen，IhadsaidsubstantiallyIwouldtaketheofficeratherthanitshouldbelosttotheState，orgiventooneintheStatewhomtheWhigsdidnotwant；butIaverthatineveryinstanceinwhichIspokeofmyself，Iintendedtokeep，andnowbelieveIdidkeep，Mr。E

abovemyself。Mr。Edwards’firstsuspicionwasthatIhadallowedBakertooverreachme，ashisfriend，inbehalfofDonMorrison。Iknewthiswasamistake；andtheresulthasprovedit。Iunderstandhisviewnowis，thatifIhadgonetoopenwarwithBakerIcouldhaveriddenhimdown，andhadthethingallmyownway。Ibelievenosuchthing。WithBakerandsomestrongmanfromtheMilitarytract&elsewhereforMorrison，andweandsomestrongmanfromtheWabash&elsewhereforMr。E，itwasnotpossibleforeithertosucceed。IbelievedthisinMarch，andI

knowitnow。TheonlythingwhichgaveeitheranychancewastheverythingBaker&Iproposed，——anadjustmentwiththemselves。

YoumaywishtoknowhowButterfieldfinallybeatme。Icannottellyouparticularsnow，butwillwhenIseeyou。InthemeantimeletitbeunderstoodIamnotgreatlydissatisfied，——I

wishtheofferhadbeensobestowedastoencourageourfriendsinfuturecontests，andIregretexceedinglyMr。Edwards’

feelingstowardsme。Thesetwothingsaway，Ishouldhavenoregrets，——atleastIthinkIwouldnot。

Writemesoon。

Yourfriend，asever，A。LINCOLN。

RESOLUTIONSOFSYMPATHYWITHTHECAUSEOF

HUNGARIANFREEDOM，SEPTEMBER[12？]，1849。

AtameetingtoexpresssympathywiththecauseofHungarianfreedom，Dr。Todd，Thos。Lewis，Hon。A。Lincoln，andWm。

Carpenterwereappointedacommitteetopresentappropriateresolutions，whichreportedthroughHon。A。Lincolnthefollowing：

Resolved，That，intheirpresentgloriousstruggleforliberty，theHungarianscommandourhighestadmirationandhaveourwarmestsympathy。

Resolved，Thattheyhaveourmostardentprayersfortheirspeedytriumphandfinalsuccess。

Resolved，ThattheGovernmentoftheUnitedStatesshouldacknowledgetheindependenceofHungaryasanationoffreemenattheveryearliestmomentconsistentwithouramicablerelationswiththegovernmentagainstwhichtheyarecontending。

Resolved，That，intheopinionofthismeeting，theimmediateacknowledgmentoftheindependenceofHungarybyourgovernmentisduefromAmericanfreementotheirstrugglingbrethren，tothegeneralcauseofrepublicanliberty，andnotviolativeofthejustrightsofanynationorpeople。

TODr。WILLIAMFITHIAN。

SPRINGFIELD，Sept。14，1849。

Dr。WILLIAMFITHIAN，Danville，Ill。

DEARDOCTOR：——Yourletterofthe9thwasreceivedadayortwoago。Thenotesandmortgagesyouenclosedmeweredulyreceived。

IalsogottheoriginalBlanchardmortgagefromAntrimCampbell，withwhomBlanchardhadleftitforyou。Igotadecreeofforeclosureonthewhole；but，owingtotherebeingnoredemptiononthesaletobeundertheBlanchardmortgage，thecourtallowedMobleytillthefirstofMarchtopaythemoney，beforeadvertisingforsale。StuartwasempoweredbyMobleytoappearforhim，andIhadtotakesuchdecreeashewouldconsentto，ornoneatall。IcastthematteraboutinmymindandconcludedthatasIcouldnotgetadecreewewouldputtheaccruedinterestatinterest，andtherebymorethanmatchthefactofthrowingtheBlancharddebtbackfromtwelvetosixpercent。，itwasbettertodoit。Thisisthepresentstateofthecase。

IcanwellenoughunderstandandappreciateyoursuggestionsabouttheLand—OfficeatDanville；butinmypresentcondition，I

candonothing。

Yours，asever，A。LINCOLN。

SPRINGFIELD，Dec。15，1849。

__________ESQ。

DEARSIR：——OnmyreturnfromKentuckyIfoundyourletterofthe7thofNovember，andhavedelayedansweringittillnowforthereasonInowbrieflystate。FromthebeginningofouracquaintanceIhadfeltthegreatestkindnessforyouandhadsupposeditwasreciprocatedonyourpart。Lastsummer，undercircumstanceswhichImentionedtoyou，Iwaspainfullyconstrainedtowithholdarecommendationwhichyoudesired，andshortlyafterwardsIlearned，insuchawayastobelieveit，thatyouwereindulginginopenabuseofme。Ofcoursemyfeelingswerewounded。Onreceivingyourlastletterthequestionoccurredwhetheryouwereattemptingtousemeatthesametimeyouwouldinjureme，orwhetheryoumightnothavebeenmisrepresentedtome。Iftheformer，Ioughtnottoansweryou；

ifthelatter，Iought，andsoIhaveremainedinsuspense。I

nowencloseyoutheletter，whichyoumayuseifyouseefit。

Yours，etc。，A。LINCOLN。

1850

RESOLUTIONSONTHEDEATHOFJUDGENATHANIELPOPE。

CircuitandDistrictCourtoftheU。S。inandfortheStateandDistrictofIllinois。Monday，June3，1850。

OntheopeningoftheCourtthismorning，theHon。A。Lincoln，amemberoftheBarofthisCourt，suggestedthedeathoftheHon。

NathanielPope，lateajudgeofthisCourt，sincetheadjournmentofthelastterm；whereupon，intokenofrespectforthememoryofthedeceased，itisorderedthattheCourtdonowadjournuntilto—morrowmorningatteno’clock。

TheHon。StephenT。Logan，theHon。NormanH。Purple，theHon。

DavidL。Gregg，theHon。A。Lincoln，andGeorgeW。Meeker，Esq。，wereappointedaCommitteetoprepareresolutions。

Whereupon，theHon。StephenT。Logan，inbehalfoftheCommittee，presentedthefollowingpreambleandresolutions：

WhereasTheHon。NathanielPope，DistrictJudgeoftheUnitedStatesCourtfortheDistrictofIllinois，havingdepartedthislifeduringthelastvacationofsaidCourt，andthemembersoftheBarofsaidCourt，entertainmgthehighestvenerationforhismemory，aprofoundrespectforhisability，greatexperience，andlearningasajudge，andcherishingforhismanyvirtues，publicandprivate，hisearnestsimplicityofcharacterandunostentatiousdeportment，bothinhispublicandprivaterelations，themostlivelyandaffectionaterecollections，haveResolved，That，asamanifestationoftheirdeepsenseofthelosswhichhasbeensustainedinhisdeath，theywillweartheusualbadgeofmourningduringtheresidueoftheterm。

Resolved，ThattheChairmancommunicatetothefamilyofthedeceasedacopyoftheseproceedings，withanassuranceofoursincerecondolenceonaccountoftheirheavybereavement。

Resolved，ThattheHon。A。Williams，DistrictAttorneyofthisCourt，berequestedinbehalfofthemeetingtopresenttheseproceedingstotheCircuitCourt，andrespectfullytoaskthattheymaybeenteredontherecords。

E。N。POWELL，Sec’y。

SAMUELH。TREAT，Ch’n。

NOTESFORLAWLECTURE

(fragments)

JULY1，1850

DISCOURAGELITIGATION。Persuadeyourneighborstocompromisewheneveryoucan。Pointouttothemhowthenominalwinnerisoftenarealloser—infees，expenses，andwasteoftime。Asapeace—makerthelawyerhasasuperioropportunityofbeingagoodman。Therewillstillbebusinessenough。

Neverstiruplitigation。Aworsemancanscarcelybefoundthanonewhodoesthis。Whocanbemorenearlyafiendthanhewhohabituallyover—haulstheregisterofdeedsinsearchofdefectsintitles，whereontostirupstrife，andputmoneyinhispocket？Amoraltoneoughttobeinfusedintotheprofessionwhichshoulddrivesuchmenoutofit。

Thematteroffeesisimportant，farbeyondthemerequestionofbreadandbutterinvolved。Properlyattendedto，fullerjusticeisdonetobothlawyerandclient。Anexorbitantfeeshouldneverbeclaimed。Asageneralrulenevertakeyourwholefeeinadvance，noranymorethanasmallretainer。Whenfullypaidbeforehand，youaremorethanacommonmortalifyoucanfeelthesameinterestinthecaseasifsomethingwasstillinprospectforyou，aswellasforyourclient。Andwhenyoulackinterestinthecasethejobwillverylikelylackskillanddiligenceintheperformance。Settletheamountoffeeandtakeanoteinadvance。Thenyouwillfeelthatyouareworkingforsomething，andyouaresuretodoyourworkfaithfullyandwell。Neversellafeenote——atleastnotbeforetheconsiderationserviceisperformed。Itleadstonegligenceanddishonesty——negligencebylosinginterestinthecase，anddishonestyinrefusingtorefundwhenyouhaveallowedtheconsiderationtofail。

Thisideaofarefundorreductionofchargesfromthelawyerinafailedcaseisanewonetome——butnotabadone。

1851

LETTERSTOFAMILYMEMBERS

TOJOHND。JOHNSTON。

January2，1851

DEARJOHNSTON：——YourrequestforeightydollarsIdonotthinkitbesttocomplywithnow。AtthevarioustimeswhenIhavehelpedyoualittleyouhavesaidtome，"Wecangetalongverywellnow"；butinaveryshorttimeIfindyouinthesamedifficultyagain。Now，thiscanonlyhappenbysomedefectinyourconduct。

Whatthatdefectis，IthinkIknow。Youarenotlazy，andstillyouareanidler。Idoubtwhether，sinceIsawyou，youhavedoneagoodwholeday’sworkinanyoneday。Youdonotverymuchdisliketowork，andstillyoudonotworkmuchmerelybecauseitdoesnotseemtoyouthatyoucouldgetmuchforit。

Thishabitofuselesslywastingtimeisthewholedifficulty；itisvastlyimportanttoyou，andstillmoresotoyourchildren，thatyoushouldbreakthehabit。Itismoreimportanttothem，becausetheyhavelongertolive，andcankeepoutofanidlehabitbeforetheyareinit，easierthantheycangetoutaftertheyarein。

Youarenowinneedofsomemoney；andwhatIproposeis，thatyoushallgotowork，"toothandnail，"forsomebodywhowillgiveyoumoneyforit。Letfatherandyourboystakechargeofyourthingsathome，prepareforacrop，andmakethecrop，andyougotoworkforthebestmoneywages，orindischargeofanydebtyouowe，thatyoucanget；and，tosecureyouafairrewardforyourlabor，Inowpromiseyou，thatforeverydollaryouwill，betweenthisandthefirstofMay，getforyourownlabor，eitherinmoneyorasyourownindebtedness，Iwillthengiveyouoneotherdollar。Bythis，ifyouhireyourselfattendollarsamonth，frommeyouwillgettenmore，makingtwentydollarsamonthforyourwork。InthisIdonotmeanyoushallgoofftoSt。Louis，ortheleadmines，orthegoldminesinCalifornia，butImeanforyoutogoatitforthebestwagesyoucangetclosetohomeinColesCounty。Now，ifyouwilldothis，youwillbesoonoutofdebt，and，whatisbetter，youwillhaveahabitthatwillkeepyoufromgettingindebtagain。But，ifI

shouldnowclearyououtofdebt，nextyearyouwouldbejustasdeepinasever。Yousayyouwouldalmostgiveyourplaceinheavenforseventyoreightydollars。Thenyouvalueyourplaceinheavenverycheap，forIamsureyoucan，withtheofferI

make，gettheseventyoreightydollarsforfourorfivemonths’

work。YousayifIwillfurnishyouthemoneyyouwilldeedmetheland，and，ifyoudon’tpaythemoneyback，youwilldeliverpossession。Nonsense！Ifyoucan’tnowlivewiththeland，howwillyouthenlivewithoutit？Youhavealwaysbeenkindtome，andIdonotmeantobeunkindtoyou。Onthecontrary，ifyouwillbutfollowmyadvice，youwillfinditworthmorethaneightytimeseightydollarstoyou。

Affectionatelyyourbrother，A。LINCOLN。

TOC。HOYT。

SPRINGFIELD，Jan。11，1851。

C。HOYT，ESQ。

MYDEARSIR：——Ourcaseisdecidedagainstus。Thedecisionwasannouncedthismorning。Verysorry，butthereisnohelp。Thehistoryofthecasesinceitcamehereisthis。OnFridaymorninglast，Mr。Joyfiledhispapers，andenteredhismotionforamandamus，andurgedmetotakeupthemotionassoonaspossible。IalreadyhadthepointsandauthoritysentmebyyouandbyMr。Goodrich，buthadnotstudiedthem。Ibeganpreparingasfastaspossible。

TheeveningofthesamedayIwasagainurgedtotakeupthecase。IrefusedonthegroundthatIwasnotready，andonwhichpleaIalsogotoffoverSaturday。ButonMonday(the14th)I

hadtogointoit。Weoccupiedthewholeday，Iusingthelargepart。ImadeeverypointandusedeveryauthoritysentmebyyourselfandbyMr。Goodrich；andinadditionallthepointsI

couldthinkofandalltheauthoritiesIcouldfindmyself。WhenIclosedtheargumentonmypart，alargepackagewashandedme，whichprovedtobetheplatyousentme。

Thecourtreceiveditofme，butitwasnotdifferentfromtheplatalreadyontherecord。IdonotthinkIcouldeverhavearguedthecasebetterthanIdid。Ididnothingelse，butpreparetoargueandarguethiscase，fromFridaymorningtillMondayevening。Verysorryfortheresult；butIdonotthinkitcouldhavebeenprevented。

Yourfriend，asever，A。LINCOLN。

TOJOHND。JOHNSTON。

SPRINGFIELD，January12，1851

DEARBROTHER：——OnthedaybeforeyesterdayIreceivedaletterfromHarriet，writtenatGreenup。Shesaysshehasjustreturnedfromyourhouse，andthatfatherisverylowandwillhardlyrecover。Shealsosaysyouhavewrittenmetwoletters，andthat，althoughyoudonotexpectmetocomenow，youwonderthatIdonotwrite。

Ireceivedbothyourletters，andalthoughIhavenotansweredthemitisnotbecauseIhaveforgottenthem，orbeenuninterestedaboutthem，butbecauseitappearedtomethatI

couldwritenothingwhichwoulddoanygood。YoualreadyknowI

desirethatneitherfathernormothershallbeinwantofanycomfort，eitherinhealthorsickness，whiletheylive；andI

feelsureyouhavenotfailedtousemyname，ifnecessary，toprocureadoctor，oranythingelseforfatherinhispresentsickness。MybusinessissuchthatIcouldhardlyleavehomenow，ifitwasnotasitis，thatmyownwifeissickabed。(Itisacaseofbaby—sickness，andIsupposeisnotdangerous。)I

sincerelyhopefathermayrecoverhishealth，butatallevents，tellhimtoremembertocalluponandconfideinourgreatandgoodandmercifulMaker，whowillnotturnawayfromhiminanyextremity。Henotesthefallofasparrow，andnumbersthehairsofourheads，andHewillnotforgetthedyingmanwhoputshistrustinHim。Saytohimthatifwecouldmeetnowitisdoubtfulwhetheritwouldnotbemorepainfulthanpleasant，butthatifitbehislottogonow，hewillsoonhaveajoyousmeetingwithmanylovedonesgonebefore，andwheretherestofus，throughthehelpofGod，hopeerelongtojointhem。

Writetomeagainwhenyoureceivethis。

Affectionately，A。LINCOLN。

PETITIONONBEHALFOFONEJOSHUAGIPSON

TOTHEJUDGEOFTHESANGAMONCOUNTYCOURT，MAY13，1851。

TOTHEHONORABLE，THEJUDGEOFTHECOUNTYCOURTINANDFORTHE

COUNTYOFSANGAMONANDSTATEOFILLINOIS：

YourPetitioner，JoshuaGipson，respectfullyrepresentsthatonoraboutthe21stdayofDecember，1850，ajudgmentwasrenderedagainstyourPetitionerforcosts，byJ。C。Spugg，oneoftheJusticesofthePeaceinandforsaidCountyofSangamon，inasuitwhereinyourPetitionerwasplaintiffandJamesL。andC。

B。Gerardweredefendants；thatsaidjudgmentwasnottheresultofnegligenceonthepartofyourPetitioner；thatsaidjudgment，inhisopinion，isunjustanderroneousinthis，thatthedefendantswereatthattimeandareindebtedtothisPetitionerinthefullamountoftheprincipalandinterestofthenotesuedon，theprincipalbeing，asaffiantremembersandbelieves，thirty—onedollarsandeightytwocents；andthat，asaffiantisinformedandbelieves，thedefendantssucceededinthetrialofsaidcausebyprovingoldclaimsagainstyourpetitioner，inset—

offagainstsaidnote，whichclaimshadbeensettled，adjustedandpaidbeforesaidnotewasexecuted。YourPetitionerfurtherstatesthatthereasonsofhisnotbeingpresentatsaidtrial，ashewasnot，andofitsnotbeinginhispowertotakeanappealintheordinaryway，asitwasnot，werethatyourPetitionerthenresidedinEdgarCountyaboutonehundredandtwentymilesfromwheredefendantsresided；thataveryshorttimebeforethesuitwascommencedyourPetitionerwasinSangamonCountyforthepurposeofcollectingdebtsduehim，andwiththerest，thenoteinquestion，whichnotehadthenbeengivenmorethanayear，thatyourPetitionerthensawthedefendantJ。L。Gerardwhoistheprincipalinsaidnote，andsolicitedpaymentofthesame；thatsaiddefendantthenmadenopretensethathedidnotowethesame，butonthecontraryexpresslypromisedthathewouldcomeintoSpringfield，inaveryfewdaysandeitherpaythemoney，orgiveanewnote，payablebythethennextChristmas；thatyourPetitioneraccordinglyleftsaidnotewithsaidJ。C。Spugg，withdirectionstogivedefendantfulltimetopaythemoneyorgivethenewnoteasabove，andifhedidneithertosue；andthenaffiantcamehometoEdgarCounty，nothavingtheslightestsuspicionthatifsuitshouldbebrought，thedefendantswouldmakeanydefensewhatever；andyourPetitionerneverdidinanywaylearnthatsaidsuithadbeencommenceduntilmorethantwentydaysafterithadbeendecidedagainsthim。HethereforepraysforawritofCertiorari。

HIS

JOSHUAxGIPSON

MARK

TOJ。D。JOHNSTON。

SPRINGFIELD，Aug。31，1851

DEARBROTHER：

Inclosedisthedeedfortheland。Weareallwell，andhavenothinginthewayofnews。WehavehadnoCholerahereforabouttwoweeks。

Givemylovetoall，andespeciallytoMother。

Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。

TOJ。D。JOHNSTON。

SHELBYVILLE，Nov。4，1851

DEARBROTHER：

WhenIcameintoCharlestondaybeforeyesterdayIlearnedthatyouareanxioustosellthelandwhereyoulive，andmovetoMissouri。Ihavebeenthinkingofthiseversince，andcannotbutthinksuchanotionisutterlyfoolish。WhatcanyoudoinMissouribetterthanhere？Isthelandricher？Canyouthere，anymorethanhere，raisecornandwheatandoatswithoutwork？

Willanybodythere，anymorethanhere，doyourworkforyou？Ifyouintendtogotowork，thereisnobetterplacethanrightwhereyouare；ifyoudonotintendtogotoworkyoucannotgetalonganywhere。Squirmingandcrawlingaboutfromplacetoplacecandonogood。Youhaveraisednocropthisyear，andwhatyoureallywantistoselltheland，getthemoneyandspendit。

Partwiththelandyouhave，and，mylifeuponit，youwillneverafterownaspotbigenoughtoburyyouin。HalfyouwillgetforthelandyouspendinmovingtoMissouri，andtheotherhalfyouwilleatanddrinkandwearout，andnofootoflandwillbebought。NowIfeelitismydutytohavenohandinsuchapieceoffoolery。Ifeelthatitissoevenonyourownaccount，andparticularlyonMother’saccount。TheeasternfortyacresI

intendtokeepforMotherwhileshelives；ifyouwillnotcultivateit，itwillrentforenoughtosupporther；atleastitwillrentforsomething。Herdowerintheothertwofortiesshecanletyouhave，andnothankstome。

Nowdonotmisunderstandthisletter。Idonotwriteitinanyunkindness。Iwriteitinorder，ifpossible，togetyoutofacethetruth，whichtruthis，youaredestitutebecauseyouhaveidledawayallyourtime。Yourthousandpretensesfornotgettingalongbetterareallnonsense；theydeceivenobodybutyourself。Gotoworkistheonlycureforyourcase。

AwordforMother：Chapmantellsmehewantsyoutogoandlivewithhim。IfIwereyouIwouldtryitawhile。Ifyougettiredofit(asIthinkyouwillnot)youcanreturntoyourownhome。

Chapmanfeelsverykindlytoyou；andIhavenodoubthewillmakeyoursituationverypleasant。

Sincerelyyours，A。LINCOLN。

Nov。4，1851

DEARMOTHER：

Chapmantellsmehewantsyoutogoandlivewithhim。IfIwereyouIwouldtryitawhile。Ifyougettiredofit(asIthinkyouwillnot)youcanreturntoyourownhome。Chapmanfeelsverykindlytoyou；andIhavenodoubthewillmakeyoursituationverypleasant。

Sincerelyyourson，A。LINCOLN。

TOJOHND。JOHNSTON。

SHELBYVILLE，November9，1851

DEARBROTHER：—WhenIwroteyoubefore，Ihadnotreceivedyourletter。IstillthinkasIdid，butifthelandcanbesoldsothatIgetthreehundreddollarstoputtointerestforMother，I

willnotobject，ifshedoesnot。ButbeforeIwillmakeadeed，themoneymustbehad，orsecuredbeyondalldoubt，attenpercent。

AstoAbram，Idonotwanthim，onmyownaccount；butI

understandhewantstolivewithme，sothathecangotoschoolandgetafairstartintheworld，whichIverymuchwishhimtohave。WhenIreachhome，ifIcanmakeitconvenienttotake，I

willtakehim，providedthereisnomistakebetweenusastotheobjectandtermsofmytakinghim。Inhaste，asever，A。LINCOLN。

TOJOHND。JOHNSTON。

SPRINGFIELD，November25，1851。

DEARBROTHER：——Yourletterofthe22disjustreceived。YourproposalaboutsellingtheeastfortyacresoflandisallthatI

wantorcouldclaimformyself；butIamnotsatisfiedwithitonMother’saccount——Iwanthertohaveherliving，andIfeelthatitismyduty，tosomeextent，toseethatsheisnotwronged。

Shehadarightofdower(thatis，theuseofone—thirdforlife)

intheothertwoforties；but，itseems，shehasalreadyletyoutakethat，hookandline。Shenowhastheuseofthewholeoftheeastforty，aslongasshelives；andifitbesold，ofcoursesheisentitledtotheinterestonallthemoneyitbrings，aslongasshelives；butyouproposetosellitforthreehundreddollars，takeonehundredawaywithyou，andleavehertwohundredat8percent。，makinghertheenormoussumof16

dollarsayear。Now，ifyouaresatisfiedwithtreatingherinthatway，Iamnot。Itistruethatyouaretohavethatfortyfortwohundreddollars，atMother’sdeath，butyouarenottohaveitbefore。IamconfidentthatlandcanbemadetoproduceforMotheratleast$30ayear，andIcannot，toobligeanylivingperson，consentthatsheshallbeputonanallowanceofsixteendollarsayear。