Questroyal 2009

Abraham Lincoln ( 1809 – 1865 ) Sixteenth president of the United States Plate 56 Lincoln’s Anti-slavery Offensive Autograph letter signed (“A. Lincoln”) to Richard Yates, Springfield, Illinois, March 9, 1858 , two pages. Lincoln supports his best man for Congress and discusses his opposition to the Dred Scott decision. We have thought this over here—The leading Fillmore men here wish to act with us, and they want a name upon which they can bring up their rank and file—It will help us in Sangamon, where we shall be hard run, about members of the Legislature—Think it over, and if you can approve it, give it a start as above— I have not forgotten my course towards “Jim” [Matheny] for a nomination in 1856 which you also well know—The difficulty then was on a point which has since been measurably superseded by the Dred Scott de [ 2 ] deci- sion; and he is with us on that— [William] Butler says you rather have an eye to getting our old friend Bill Greene on the track—Nothing would please me better, whenever he got on to ground that would suit you, except it would give us no access to the Fillmore votes. Don’t you see? We must have some one who will reach the Fillmore men, both for the direct and the incidental effect. I wish you would see Nult [Lynn McNulty] Greene, and present this view to him. Point out to him the necessities of the case, and also how the question, as to “Jim” is varied since 1856 . Let this be strictly confidential. Yours as ever, A. Lincoln [docket:] A. Lincoln transcription Springfield, March 9, 1858. Hon. R. Yates My dear Sir: If you approve of the following contrive to have it appear in some one of the anti-administration papers down your way- better there than here. “Mr. Editor: Why may not all anti-administration men in this District vote for James H. Matheny, of Springfield, for Congress? He was opposed to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; was for Fillmore in 1856 , but never was a Know- Nothing—He is now opposed to the Lecompton Constitution, and the Dred Scott decision—Who can be more suitable, when a union of Fremont and Fillmore men, is indispensable? A. republican.”