The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, vol 2 | Page 4

matter here, you were right in supposing I
would support the nominee. Neither Baker nor I, however, is the man,
but Hardin, so far as I can judge from present appearances. We shall
have no split or trouble about the matter; all will be harmony. In
relation to the "coming events" about which Butler wrote you, I had not
heard one word before I got your letter; but I have so much confidence
in the judgment of Butler on such a subject that I incline to think there
may be some reality in it. What day does Butler appoint? By the way,
how do "events" of the same sort come on in your family? Are you
possessing houses and lands, and oxen and asses, and men-servants and
maid-servants, and begetting sons and daughters? We are not keeping
house, but boarding at the Globe Tavern, which is very well kept now
by a widow lady of the name of Beck. Our room (the same that Dr.
Wallace occupied there) and boarding only costs us four dollars a week.
Ann Todd was married something more than a year since to a fellow by
the name of Campbell, and who, Mary says, is pretty much of a
"dunce," though he has a little money and property. They live in
Boonville, Missouri, and have not been heard from lately enough for
me to say anything about her health. I reckon it will scarcely be in our
power to visit Kentucky this year. Besides poverty and the necessity of
attending to business, those "coming events," I suspect, would be
somewhat in the way. I most heartily wish you and your Fanny would
not fail to come. Just let us know the time, and we will have a room
provided for you at our house, and all be merry together for a while. Be
sure to give my respects to your mother and family; assure her that if
ever I come near her, I will not fail to call and see her. Mary joins in
sending love to your Fanny and you.
Yours as ever,
A. LINCOLN.

1844

TO Gen. J. J. HARDIN.
SPRINGFIELD, May 21, 1844.
DEAR HARDIN: Knowing that you have correspondents enough, I
have forborne to trouble you heretofore; and I now only do so to get
you to set a matter right which has got wrong with one of our best

friends. It is old Uncle Thomas Campbell of Spring Creek--(Berlin
P.O.). He has received several documents from you, and he says they
are old newspapers and documents, having no sort of interest in them.
He is, therefore, getting a strong impression that you treat him with
disrespect. This, I know, is a mistaken impression; and you must
correct it. The way, I leave to yourself. Rob't W. Canfield says he
would like to have a document or two from you.
The Locos (Democrats) here are in considerable trouble about Van
Buren's letter on Texas, and the Virginia electors. They are growing
sick of the Tariff question; and consequently are much confounded at
V.B.'s cutting them off from the new Texas question. Nearly half the
leaders swear they won't stand it. Of those are Ford, T. Campbell,
Ewing, Calhoun and others. They don't exactly say they won't vote for
V.B., but they say he will not be the candidate, and that they are for
Texas anyhow.
As ever yours,
A. LINCOLN.

1845

SELECTION OF CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES
TO Gen. J. J. HARDIN, SPRINGFIELD, Jany. 19, 1845.
DEAR GENERAL:
I do not wish to join in your proposal of a new plan for the selection of
a Whig candidate for Congress because:
1st. I am entirely satisfied with the old system under which you and
Baker were successively nominated and elected to Congress; and
because the Whigs of the district are well acquainted with the system,
and, so far as I know or believe, are well satisfied with it. If the old
system be thought to be vague, as to all the delegates of the county
voting the same way, or as to instructions to them as to whom they are
to vote for, or as to filling vacancies, I am willing to join in a provision
to make these matters certain.
2d. As to your proposals that a poll shall be opened in every precinct,
and that the whole shall take place on the same day, I do not personally
object. They seem to me to be not unfair; and I forbear to join in
proposing them only because I choose to leave the decision in each

county to the Whigs of the county, to be made as their own judgment
and convenience may dictate.
3d. As to your proposed stipulation that all the candidates shall remain
in their own counties,