Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett

http://www.alplm-cdi.com/chroniclingillinois/files/uploads/300008.pdf

Title

Abraham Lincoln to John Bennett

Description

Abraham Lincoln writes to John Bennett regarding Lincoln's first bid for national office, his unsuccessful campaign for the Whig Party's nomination for the congressional seat of the 7th district of Illinois. Lincoln reveals his authorship of the Address to the People of Illinois, which first used the phrase "a house divided against itself cannot stand."

Creator

Lincoln, Abraham

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

1843-03-07

Format

pdf

Language

en

Identifier

300008
T1843.03.07
200326

Has Version

Basler 1:318-19

Transcription

Springfield, March 7 1843

Friend Bennett:

Your letter of this day was handed me by Mr. Miles. It is too late now to effect the object you desire. On yesterday morning the [most?] of the whig members from this District got together and agreed to hold the convention at Tremont in Tazewell county. I am sorry to hear that any of the whigs of your county, or, indeed of any county should [illegible] be against conventions.

On last Wednesday evening a meeting of all the whigs then here from all parts of the State was held, and the question of the propriety of conventions was brought up and fully discussed and at the end of the discussion, a resolution recommending the system of conventions to all the whigs of the State, was unanimously adopted. Other Resolutions also were passed, all of which will appear in the next Journal. The meeting also appointed a committee to draft an


address to the People of the State, which address will also appear in the next Journal. In it, you will find a brief argument in favor of conventions; and although I wrote it myself, I will say to you that it's conclusive upon the point that it can not be reasonably answered.

The right way for you to do, is to hold your meeting and appoint delegates anyhow; and if there be any who will not take part, let it be so. The matter will work so well this time that even they who now oppose will come in next time.

The convention will be held at Tremont on the 5th April, and according to the rule we have adopted your county is to have two delegates---being double the number of your representatives.

If there be any good why who disposed still to stick out against conventions, get him at least to read the argument in their favor in the address.

Yours as ever

A. Lincoln


Mr. John Bennett Petersburg, lls

per favor of Mr. Miles

Status

Complete

Percent Completed

100

Weight

20

Original Format

paper and ink
4 p
26 x 21 cm

Document Viewer