\"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？\"
\"Yesifyoumustchawitover，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，butthatheMerrymanwouldwaivethequestionoftime，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，becausebythetimeoneoftheoriginalnewStatesOhio，forexamplebecomespopulousandgetsweightinCongress，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，andforwhichinsteadofanexcuse，whichyouthoughtpropertoask
Itenderyoumysincerethanks。Itistrulygratifyingtometolearnthat，whilethepeopleofSangamonhavecastmeoff，myoldfriendsofMenard，whohaveknownmelongestandbest，sticktome。Itwouldastonish，ifnotamuse，theoldercitizenstolearnthatIastranger，friendless，uneducated，pennilessboy，workingonaflatboatattendollarspermonthhavebeenputdownhereasthecandidateofpride，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，ifanythingshouldhappenwhich，however，isnotprobablebywhichBakershouldbethrownoutofthefight，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。HonestWhigsandverynearlyallofthemarehonestwouldnotquietlyabidesuchenormities。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。OurroomthesamethatDr。Wallaceoccupiedthereandboardingonlycostsusfourdollarsaweek。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。
TheLocosDemocratshereareinconsiderabletroubleaboutVanBuren’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，andperhapstolibertyitselfparadoxthoughitmayseem，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。MyrelianceforafairshakeandI
wantnothingmoreinyourcountryischieflyonyou，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。