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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) to James S. Irwin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06256 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Springfield, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 November 1842 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 31.3 x 19.5 cm Order a Copy

Writes that he and Stephen T. Logan, his law partner, will attend to any business in the Supreme Court Irwin sends to them. States that it is impossible to establish fees that will apply to all cases and makes it clear that they will require payment in advance. "We believe we are never accused of being very unreasonable in this particular; and we would always be easily satisfied, provided we could see the money -- but whatever fees we earn at a distance, if not paid before we have noticed we never hear of after the work is done -- We therefore, are growing a little sensitive on that part." The address leaf lacks the upper third, and someone has written "Springfield", "1842" and Irwin's name repeatedly in what appears to be contemporary ink. Docketed on page 3 "Abram Lincoln." Written while Lincoln was practicing law in Springfield, Illinois.

Springfield. Nov. 2 1842
Jas. S. Irwin Esqr.
Owing to my absence, yours of the 22nd. ult. was not received till this moment--
Judge Logan & myself are willing to attend to any business in the Supreme Court you may send us. As to fees, it is impossible to establish a rule that will apply in all, or even a great many cases.-- We believe we are never accused of being very unreasonable in this particular, and we would always be easily satisfied, provided we could see the money--but whatever fees we earn at a distance, if not paid before, we have noticed we never hear of after the work is done.-- We therefore, are growing a little sensitive on that point--
Yours &tc.
A. Lincoln

[docket:]
James S. Irwin Esqr.
Mount Sterling, Illinois

Springfield
Springfield
Springfield
Springfield

James S. Irwin 1842
James S. Irwin 1842
James S. Irwin 1842
James S. Irwin 1842 James S. Irwin
James S. Irwin
James S. Irwin

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Irwin, James S., fl. 1842
Logan, Stephen T. (Stephen Trigg), 1800-1880

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