245

Abraham Lincoln (3) Letter Archive + Neighbor Recounts Early Days In Illinois

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Abraham Lincoln (3) Letter Archive + Neighbor Recounts Early Days In Illinois
Abraham Lincoln Related
Abe Lincoln’s Neighbor Recounts His Early Days in Illinois Three Letters - Two Having Amazing Content From 1861 with One Letter Urging President Abraham Lincoln to Relinquish His Seat to Political Rival Stephen A. Douglas!
Abraham Lincoln Three (3) Letter Historic Archive, Including Two Original “Pleas” that are Addressed to President Abraham Lincoln, both being dated in 1861, Accompanied by the 1918 dated, “Personal Acquaintance of Lincoln,” who reflects on his past aquaitance, Lot of Three Letters, Fine to Very Fine.
This exceptional content lot features the personal reflections of a 91-year-old man who is recounting his personal acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln, together with Two (2) original highly detailed persoanl Handwritten 1861 Civil War Dated Letters addressed to President Lincoln. Plus (1) Letter (a great content letter) is urging President Abraham Lincoln to relinquish his Presidency to political rival Stephen A. Douglas! These Letter read, in part:

1. March 22, 1918-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, "Herbert Post” in pencil, on lined paper, Kansas city, Missouri, 3 pages, 10" x 8", Very Fine. Addressed to Mr. Whitelaw Saunders, it reads, in part:

"Dear Sir, my personal acquaintances with Abraham Lincoln in 1852 as a near neighbor of him until he left Springfield Ill. for Washington, D.C. in 1861. His home was on the corner of Eighth and Jackson, and mine on corner of Seventh and Jackson. he passing my house almost daily to and from his office. He was a very genial man... familiarly called 'Old Abe.' A friend of everybody... On my way from dinner up to my business I met Mr. Lincoln, asking What's the news? He replied. They have given me the nomination, showing me the message... We were often called to his home to sing campaign songs of which Mr. Lincoln was fond... I was present at the Republican Convention in the State House June 16, 1808, when Mr Lincoln made his memorable speech in which he used the words 'A house divided against itself cannot stand...' In the previous afternoon he called a council of his friends and read to them his speech as he had heard some were opposed to his using those words which would anger his opponents. The slavery question there causing great excitement... During the meeting Mr. Lincoln rose from his chair paced the floor to compose himself, and said 'Friends are not these statements true? They said 'Yes' then he said 'I shall use them....'"

There are several more insightful remembrances cited by Mr. Post, all which underscore the value and importance of this “one-of-a-kind” letter by a member of the State Historical Society.

2. January 21, 1861-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, "Your Friend", in brown ink on fine-laid paper, Dunnington, Tennessee, four pages, 8" x 6.5", Very Fine. In which an anonymous Southerner asks Lincoln to give up his seat to Stephen Douglas! It reads, in part:

"Mr. Lincoln: Our Glorious Union is about to close... The Lord has seen fit to show me in a dream the only way there is to save this Union. You are the only man on earth who can save this union: will you do it?... I have withhold my name from you and from the world.... This is your duty to Call on Mr Stephen A. Douglas to take your place as president of these United States he must accept the offer for he is the peoples choice and they have confidence in him. all will go right never fear. Mr. Douglas must pay you one half the money he gets for being president or more if you wish it. he is a man of honor and will save his country without a dollar, no insult to you... You must also appoint a day of prayer. The young ladies & gentle of every county must march under a pure white linen flag to & from church..."

This mysterious author urges Abraham Lincoln to invite South Carolina to return to the Union.

3. January 29, 1861-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, "Josiah Bowles" in pencil, Rockford, Illinois, 8 pages, 7" x 4", Fine. Josiah Bowles asks Lincoln to restore his citizenship in return for providing information on a gang of robbers and murderers in Illinois, it reads, in part:

"...perhaps you may be surprised at my doing so, but i trust that if your patience will allow you to peruse my somewhat lengthy letter, that you will forgive my presumpsion... I have been in this country ten years... engaged in horse stealing and robbery and counterfeiting. Now do not start and throw this paper into the fire, but hear me out.... I was sent to Alton Penetentiary for one year in ...1852, I staid my time out and lost my citizenship... I wish to make the following proposition to you... I am willing to inform you where [a gang of murderers] can be found, and also to give you such information as will enable you to break up the whole gang... and to get the persons who robbed the bank of S.B. Phelps ...I think if I can get on the right side of the law again I can keep so... If you do not take the matter up please drop me a line so that I will know that you have got this... Yours Respectfully..."

A historic Civil War early Lincoln presidency period lot of pleas and other issues, that are Addressed to President Abraham Lincoln. (3 Letters)