The Property of
A GENTLEMAN
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM, President. Autograph letter signed ("A.Lincoln") to John Bennett of Petersburg, Springfield, 15 July 1846. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf in Lincoln's hand (ink smudged), neatly silked, seal hole patched, but otherwise in fine condition.
Details
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM, President. Autograph letter signed ("A.Lincoln") to John Bennett of Petersburg, Springfield, 15 July 1846. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf in Lincoln's hand (ink smudged), neatly silked, seal hole patched, but otherwise in fine condition.
LINCOLN LOBBIES FOR SUPPORT DURING HIS SUCCESSFUL BID FOR CONGRESS
An excellent early political letter during Lincoln's hard-fought campaign for the 1846 Whig nomination for Congress from Illinois' seventh district. Lincoln writes in an urgent tone: "Nathan Dresser [Circuit clerk of Menard County] is here, and speaks as though the contest between [John J.] Hardin & me is to be doubtful in Menard county. I know he is candid, and this alarms me some. I asked him to tell me the names of the men that were going strong for Hardin; he said [Martin S.] Morris was about as strong as any. Now tell me, is Morris going it openly? You remember you wrote me, that he would be neutral. Nathan also said that some man (who he could not remember) had said lately, that Menard county was again to decide the contest; and that made the contest doubtful. Do you know who that was? Don't fail to write me instantly on receiving this, telling me all -- particularly the names of those who are going strong against me..." Basler, I:355.
From 1843, Abraham Lincoln, Edward D. Baker and John J. Hardin (Mary Todd Lincoln's cousin) were the foremost Whig leaders in Illinois; all resided in the same district. Hardin won the nomination and went to Congress in 1844; Baker succeeded him in 1845 and by a resolution agreed at Pekin in 1843, Lincoln was to succeed him. But it became evident that Hardin intended to disregard the pact and seek the renomination, in spite of Lincoln's rightful protest that "turn about is fair play." The present letter shows both Lincoln's refusal to yield to Hardin and the determined politicking which was necessary to garner the coveted seat himself. While he eventually did secure the nomination and won the election, his term in Congress was difficult and he failed in to win re-election. He did not hold another political office until elected President in 1860.
LINCOLN LOBBIES FOR SUPPORT DURING HIS SUCCESSFUL BID FOR CONGRESS
An excellent early political letter during Lincoln's hard-fought campaign for the 1846 Whig nomination for Congress from Illinois' seventh district. Lincoln writes in an urgent tone: "Nathan Dresser [Circuit clerk of Menard County] is here, and speaks as though the contest between [John J.] Hardin & me is to be doubtful in Menard county. I know he is candid, and this alarms me some. I asked him to tell me the names of the men that were going strong for Hardin; he said [Martin S.] Morris was about as strong as any. Now tell me, is Morris going it openly? You remember you wrote me, that he would be neutral. Nathan also said that some man (who he could not remember) had said lately, that Menard county was again to decide the contest; and that made the contest doubtful. Do you know who that was? Don't fail to write me instantly on receiving this, telling me all -- particularly the names of those who are going strong against me..." Basler, I:355.
From 1843, Abraham Lincoln, Edward D. Baker and John J. Hardin (Mary Todd Lincoln's cousin) were the foremost Whig leaders in Illinois; all resided in the same district. Hardin won the nomination and went to Congress in 1844; Baker succeeded him in 1845 and by a resolution agreed at Pekin in 1843, Lincoln was to succeed him. But it became evident that Hardin intended to disregard the pact and seek the renomination, in spite of Lincoln's rightful protest that "turn about is fair play." The present letter shows both Lincoln's refusal to yield to Hardin and the determined politicking which was necessary to garner the coveted seat himself. While he eventually did secure the nomination and won the election, his term in Congress was difficult and he failed in to win re-election. He did not hold another political office until elected President in 1860.