Iowa Heritage Digital Collections
State Library of Iowa

02. Lincoln to Hawkins Taylor on possible visit to Iowa and demands on Lincoln's time

Title

02. Lincoln to Hawkins Taylor on possible visit to Iowa and demands on Lincoln's time

Description

Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Hawkins Taylor, a prominent Republican from Keokuk, Iowa who had represented Lee County in the state's first territorial legislature. Lincoln comments on the demands for public appearances during the presidential campaign, expresses concern about the financial implications of neglecting his law practice, asks for political assessment of U.S. Sen. James W. Grimes (Republican, Iowa), and sends respects to U.S. Rep. Samuel R. Curtis (Republican, Iowa). September 6, 1859. Lincoln, an extremely popular figure in the new Republican Party, had given speeches in Iowa in 1858 and 1859, at Burlington and Council Bluffs, respectively. Autograph Letter Signed.

Date

1859-09-06

Contributor

Becki Plunkett and Stephen Vincent

Rights

Copyright State Historical Society of Iowa. Information at http://www.iowahistory.org/libraries/services-and-fees/conditions-for-image-reproductions.html

Digital Reproduction Information

Original scanned at 600 dpi w/ sRGB color space.

Repository

State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines

Repository Collection

Special Collections: Abraham Lincoln Collection

Digital item created

11/19/2007

Transcription

Hawkins Taylor, Esq Springfield, Ills, Sep. 6, 1859. My dear Sir: Yours of the 3rd is just received. There is some mistake about my expected attendance of the U.S. Court in your city on the 3rd Tuesday of this month. I have had no thought of being there. It is bad to be poor. I shall go to the wall for bread and meat, if I neglect my business this year as well as last. It would please me much to see the City, and good people, of Keokuck, but for this year it is less than an impossibility. I am constantly receiving invitations which I am compelled to decline. I was pressingly urged to go to Minnesota; and I now have two invitations to go to Ohio. These last are prompted by Douglas' going there; and I am really tempted to make a flying trip to Columbus & Cincinnati. I do hope your will have no serious trouble in Iowa. What thinks [Iowa's U.S. Senator James W.] Grimes about it? I have not known him to be mistaken about an election in Iowa. Present my respects to Col. [Samuel R.] Curtis, & any other friends; and believe me Yours Truly A. Lincoln