April 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, April 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2018
Abraham Lincoln autograph letter signed, datelined Springfield (Illinois) on 28 December 1857. As a 48-year old lawyer, Lincoln writes to his client William H. Davenport, the plaintiff in ''Davenport v. Sconce and Don Carlos'', a case involving fraud and collusion at the General Land Office in Danville, Illinois. Lincoln writes in full, ''W.H. Davenport / Dear Sir: / When I went to Danville in the fall I found that [defendant, Land Agent] Don Carlos had not yet been served with process. I was greatly vexed, and made an affidavit to have a publication made for him, as one who was evading process - Before the end of the term Drake & Moses (lawyers) concluded to, and did enter his appearance, upon which they were ruled to file answers by some day this winter - I think Jany. 1, but not quite certain - That was all I could do - When the answers shall be filed, I ought to have copies of them & I have not yet provided for getting them - / Yours very truly / A. Lincoln.'' Lincoln would ultimately prevail for his client shortly before being elected President in November 1860. Letter measures 7.75'' x 9.75'' on laid paper with ''Windsor Mills'' watermark. Partial separation along folds, repaired with tape to verso. A few spots of discoloration, overall in very good condition. Letter is published in ''The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln'', edited by Roy Basler and published in 1953.
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed From 1857 as a Lawyer in Springfield, Illinois on a Land Fraud Case -- ''...I was greatly vexed...''
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