July 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, July 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2019
Fascinating letter from 1859, written to Abraham Lincoln, showing the extent to which money has long fueled political elections. In this letter, datelined Shawneetown (Illinois) on 18 April 1859, an unnamed author writes to Abraham Lincoln, asking him to bundle $50,000 in campaign contributions to help the Republican party ''make a good and lawful fight in the next canvas''. Specifically, this party operative thinks resources should be devoted to Southern Illinois (''you have turned the last screw in the North'') and tries to persuade Lincoln of the necessity of a well-funded war chest, writing ''I know the power of money, I have tried it in all its shapes, and do know its weight.''
Addressed to the ''Hon. A. Lincoln'', letter reads in full, ''In consequence of urgent business, suddenly calling me home, We want 200 men to take each $250- stock in a bank at this place. We will also take stock here, that we may have money facilities to draw on to make a good and lawful fight in the next canvas. We have no money in this County and must have some. I think Southern Illinois is the place to make the fight in the next canvas on the General ticket. You have turned the last screw in the North, and all you can do there is to hold fast all you have while all is to be gained in the South and nothing to lose. When a party is so largely in the minority as we are, the changes are always in their favor. There will be no trouble to give ten thousand notes on the last election in So. Illinois if we have anything to fight with. I know the power of money, I have tried it in all its shapes, and do know its weight. Now we ask you from Springfield to raise us fifty thousand dollars in Stock to our bank. This money we will invest in bonds, and get an issue from the Creditor. The stock-holders can draw 6% on the bonds and get the interest on the money loaned and aggregate almost 12% on their money and we'll at the same time accomplish all we wish in the next canvas, and no one [will] be a loser by the transaction. / I will be in Springfield the last of this month. / Should this proposition [?], You will confer a great favor on our friends by doing all you can in this enterprize. Yours Respectfully''. Two page letter on a single sheet measures 7.75'' x 9.75''. Separation starting along fold, and light toning, otherwise near fine condition.
Abraham Lincoln Is Asked to Bundle $50,000 in Campaign Contributions for the Illinois Republican Party -- Fascinating Fundraising Letter From 1859
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