Abraham Lincoln to John R. Herndon, 11 June 18391
Springfield, June 11th 1839—Dear Row2:MrRedman3 informs me that you wish me to write you the particulars of a conversation between
Dr Felix & myself relative to you—
The Dr overtook me between Rushville and Beardstown— He, after learning that I lived at Springfield, asked if I was a acquainted with you— I told him I was— He said you had lately been elected constable
in Adams, but that you never would be again— I asked him why?— He said the people there, had
found out, that you had been Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff in Sangamon county, and that you came off and left your securities to suffer— He then asked me if I
did not know such to be the fact— I told him I did not think you had ever been Sheriff
or Deputy Sheriff in Sangamon; but that I thought you had been constable— I further
told him that if you had left your securities to suffer in that or any other case,
I had never heard of it, and that if it had been so, I thought I would have heard
it—
If the Dr is telling that I told him any thing against you whatever, I authorize you to contradict it flatly— We have no
news here—
Your friend, as ever—A. Lincoln
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Lincoln Manuscripts, Indiana University (Bloomington, IN).