Josiah L. James to Abraham Lincoln, 3 November 18431
Tremont Novr 3 1843Mr LincolnDr[Dear] SirYou will oblige me by paying taxes on the land herein described for the Year 1842
Viz –
N. W.[Northwest] ¼ & E[East] ½ of S W[Southwest] ¼ of S.[Section] 28– Town[Township] 19– R[Range] 5 West2 ⋄Enterd by John McGill⋄ If any thing shd[should] prevent Your attending Court at Petersburgh please [to?] hand this money to some friend with the above request–3 & advise me hereafter by private conveyance–4
Will you inquire if this land was taxable last Year– I mean if any taxes were due
in 1841–
I enclose five dollars– to cover taxes & Charges–
RespectfullyI amJosiah L James–
[ endorsement
]
11/[09]/1843Friend McNamar:5
11/[09]/1843Friend McNamar:5
You see the object of the
<Page 2>
above letter– As it speaks of the Tax of 1842. I had supposed it was the land was already sold, but, so far as the Returns in the Auditors Office shows,
it has not– It may be that James meant the year 1843– I wish you would examine; and
if the taxes have been paid up to this year, apply the enclosed money, or enough of
it, to the payment of the tax of this year & send me the receipt by mail–
Write the condition in which it stands at any rate–
Yours as everA. Lincoln<Page 3>
<Page 4>
TREMONT Ill.[Illinois]
NOV[November] [4?]Abraham Lincoln, Esq,[Esquire]Attorney &c[etc.]SpringfieldIll
NOV[November] [4?]Abraham Lincoln, Esq,[Esquire]Attorney &c[etc.]SpringfieldIll
[ docketing
]
| 6 | . | 9 | 0 | |
| . | 2 | 0 | ||
| [.] | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2 | [.] | 6 | 4 | |
| 3 | [.] | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | . | 7 | 5 | |
| 1 | 6 | [.] | 1 | 5 |
| 6 | [.] | 7 | 0 | |
| 9 | . | 4 | 5 |
[ docketing
]
| 1 | 6 | [.] | 1 | 9 |
| 6 | [.] | 7 | 0 | |
| 9 | . | 4 | 9 | |
| 6 | [.] | 7 | 0 | |
| 3 | [.] | 2 | 0 | |
| 1 | 9 | [.] | 3 | 9 |
[ docketing
]
| 25 [x] 6 |
| 150 |
[ docketing
]
| 720 360 360 |
| 396 |
[ docketing
]
| 478 [-] 350 |
| 12.8 |
[ docketing
]
| 720 3.60 360.0 |
| 396 |
[ docketing
]
| 13 | . | |
| 3 | [.] | 20 |
| 16 | [.] | 20 |
[ docketing
]
20
1Josiah James wrote and signed the letter. Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed the endorsement
to McNamar, and wrote the docketing “McNamar” on the last page.
2The land described here is situated in eastern Menard County, Illinois, approximately two miles northeast of the village of Sweet Water.
3Lincoln attended the Menard County Circuit Court from Monday, November 6 through Thursday, November 9.
The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln, 6 November 1843, http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarDay&day=1843-11-06; 7 November 1843, http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarDay&day=1843-11-07; 8 November 1843, http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarDay&day=1843-11-08.
Autograph Letter Signed, 4 page(s), Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).