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Sale 58
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Lot 28
Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) 16th President of the United States. Printed Letter Signed "A. Lincoln," one page, 9¾ x 7½ in., Washington, D.C., 1848. In part: "Sir: The Whig Members of Congress have, as heretofore, appointed an ‘Executive Committee’ to watch over the interests of the Whig party in the present canvass. In the discharge of their duties, the Committee have already made arrangements to supply every section of the country with useful information, such as is usually contained in political pamphlets and Congressional speeches. It is highly important, especially as the labors of the Committee will continue without interruption from this time until the election in November, that full lists of names, to whom their publications may be sent, should be furnished them as soon as practicable. You cannot fail to estimate the excellent results which have been and may be produced by this plan of operation, nor yet to understand that its efficiency will be controlled, in a great degree, by the promptitude with which their Whig friends second the efforts of those entrusted with its execution. It is believed that all that is necessary to secure the election of Gen. Taylor, is for correct information to reach the mass of the people…. I would suggest that the names of the Whigs be distinguished from those of the more moderate of our opponents, and that the most active and influential Whigs be also designated from the general number." The word "neighborhood" and the following postscript is in an unidentified hand: "PS Your name has been given me by Mr. Griffith of Va. Respfy yrs &c." The identity of Mr. Griffith of Virginia is unknown. Light creases, vertical fold passes through "c" of signature. Light stains in blank areas. Fine condition.
According to Roy P. Basler in "The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln," Volume I, page 518, while Lincoln probably signed many of these circulars, there are two known, each with the same postscript. The one listed in Basler is postmarked August 17, and is addressed to John D. McGill, Urbanna, Middlesex, Virginia. It is owned by the Illinois State Historical Library. The other was addressed to James Smith, Fleetwood Academy, King & Queen, Virginia. It is not known if this is the one received by Smith or a third known circular.
Abraham Lincoln served his only term in Congress from March 4, 1847 to March 3, 1849, representing Illinois as its only Whig Congressman; he did not seek renomination. He attended the 1848 Whig National Convention in Philadelphia in June supporting Gen. Zachary Taylor for the nomination. When Congress adjourned in August, Lincoln began to campaign in earnest. He spent September campaigning for the Whig ticket in Massachusetts, then went home to campaign in Illinois. After Taylor’s election in November, Lincoln sought the office of Commissioner of the General Land Office in the new Taylor administration, but it was given to Chicago lawyer Justin Butterfield, who had supported Henry Clay for the 1848 Whig party presidential nomination; he had Clay’s and Daniel Webster’s endorsement for the post. Lincoln was offered the Governorship of Oregon Territory, but he declined. Oregon was strongly Democratic and Lincoln felt that once it became a state, it would never elect a Whig senator or governor. Besides, he didn’t want to move out west. Lincoln returned to his law office in Springfield, certain that his political career was over. Only seven letters signed by Lincoln while serving in Congress have appeared at major public auctions in the last 40 years. This one urging the election of Zachary Taylor as twelfth U.S. President, signed by the future sixteenth U.S. President, is particularly desirable.
Estimated Value $14,000 - 18,000.
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