Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) to Lewis M. Hays
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00426 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Springfield Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 October 1852 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope ; 26 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Lincoln pities an impoverished cripple, George Turley and suggests that his client to drop the lawsuit, in part because he won't get the money. Written on blue stationery and accompanied by an envelope. Not in Basler, but 2: 105, 160, 201-2 and 206 indicate that Lincoln prosecuted the debt and collected 9/7/1853. George W. Turley founded Mt. Pulaski, Ill.
Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press,1953), Vol. II 1848 - 1858,
p. 160
Notes: Basler 2: 160. See also 2: 105, 201-202 and 206, correspondence with Hays concerning the case. Lincoln began the suit April 23, 1851 (2: 105) and eventually won judgment against Turley September 7, 1853. (2: 202), although he collected less money than expected after the defendant introduced important new witnesses. George W. Turley founded the town Mt. Pulaski, Ill. See GLC 756 for the outcome of the case.
Springfield, Oct. 27. 1852
L. M. Hays, Esq.
Dear Sir:
Yours of Sept 30th just received-- At our court, just past, I could have got a judgment against Turley, if I had pressed to the utmost; but I am really sorry for him -- poor and a cripple as he is-- He begged time to try to find evidence to prove that the deceased on his death-bed, ordered the note to be given up to him or destroyed-- I do not suppose he will get any such evidence; but I allowed him till next court to try--
Yours &c.
A. Lincoln
[Envelope:]
5
Lewis M. Hays
Gosport
Indiana
[With postmark stamp: Springfield Ill. / 28 Oct.]
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