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Sale 2
Lot 98
Plan of Legal Action. Letter is lightly yellow from age, with several weakened or partially-separated creases. Glue stain along the upper edge of the letter. The integral address leaf bears several small areas of paper loss at the creases (with minor repairs), however these do not detract from the letter itself. Address leaf, penned in Lincoln's hand, bears a rubber "Springfield" postal stamp and a second rubber stamp reading "Paid 3." Penned beneath the address in another hand: "The property of Claribel Mitchell 215 W Jackson St". 16th President of the United States, 1861-1865.
Autograph Letter Signed. Two pages (including integral address leaf), Two-sided, small Quarto, Springfield, IL, June 27, 1853. Lincoln, the lawyer, wrote this letter to "Hon. T.J. Turner" during Lincoln's days as a circuit-riding lawyer, following his stint as a politician in the US House of Representatives. At the time, Turner was a successful lawyer in Freeport, Ill. in the process of establishing the first weekly newspaper. Lincoln corresponded with Turner about the case the letter discusses for several years. It concerns Lincoln's client, Adam Adams, a farmer from Ogle County, and a question regarding the purchase of a parcel of land. This letter, and the succeeding correspondences between Lincoln and Turner with regards to this case, are published in Basler's Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln.
"Dear Sir: Your letter of the 20th reached me, day-before yesterday. I had, the day before, written to Adams to be on hand with his witnesses - but, at the request of Judge Logan, who is Kemper's attorney, I put in a Post-script, saying to Adams, if he was agreed, the cause should be continued over the summer term. On subsequent reflection, I rather wish Adams may not agree. I have the case fresh in my mind, and therefore wish to keep it going till it is finished. I have already drafted a Bill of Exceptions, and my plan is to put the common law suit through the forms of a second trial, up to a verdict (which must be against us, under Judge D's view of the law) except, & save all the points, and then, before judgment, file our Bill and get an injunction… I should be glad to see you & shake you by the hand; but as there is no contested jury question, I scarcely think you need be at the trouble & expense of coming. All the law questions which can arise at this term, the Judge has already decided. Very truly yours A. Lincoln".
Estimated Value $17,500-UP.
Ex Superior's Paul Richards Estate Sale, February 2, 1994, Lot 399.
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