Abraham Lincoln to Peter Hagner, 30 May 18371
Springfield, Illinois, May 30th 1837—If the claim, founded upon the enclosed papers, be allowed, the money may be forwarded
directly to the claimant, "Archelaus Demmon, Springfield Illinois"2 If it be not allowed, on account of insufficiency of evidence, or for other cause, and the defect,
whatever it be, can be remidied, write back, stating particularly what is lacking, and direct to A. Lincoln, place as above.3
The Paymaster or disbursing officer; of whom this applicant received pay was, according
to recollection, Major Wright of the United States Army. In this there may be a mistake, as there is nothing but memory to refer to. At any
rate it was the officer that paid Whiteside's Brigade.4
RespectfullyA. Lincoln for the Applicant.Third Auditor[ endorsement
]
Mr H. directed the allowance of this claim
The writing appeared to I. G.[Inspector General] to be all by the same hand.
The writing appeared to I. G.[Inspector General] to be all by the same hand.
<Page 2>
Free
SPRINGFIELD Il.[Illinois]JUN[June] 2Treasury DepartmentThird Auditor's OfficeWashington CityD.C.
[ docketing
]
Springfield 30 May 37
A Lincoln
Recd[Received] 14
Ansd[Answered]
A Lincoln
Recd[Received] 14
Ansd[Answered]
1Abraham Lincoln wrote the text of this letter and his signature, as well as the “Free”
frank and address on the back page.
3Archelaus Demmon was seeking reimbursement for a horse he had lost during his service
in the Black Hawk War.
Lincoln conducted legal research for Demmon, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=141185.
4Robert Blackwell was the paymaster under James D. Henry in Samuel Whiteside’s Brigade.
Ellen M. Whitney, comp., The Black Hawk War, 1831-1832: Illinois Volunteers, vol. 35 of Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1970), 1:201, 204-5.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).