Abraham Lincoln to Richard S. Thomas, 14 February 18441
Springfield, Feby 14th 1844–Friend Richard:I am sorry to have to say I can find but one copy of President's Messages in town;
and that one, belongs to the State Library, and ^, of course,^ can not be had– If alive and well, I am sure to be with you on the 22nd. I will meet the trio of mighty adversaries you mention, in the best manner I can–2 No news here–
Yours forever,A. LincolnR S. ThomasVirginia Ills2On February 22 and 23, Lincoln gave speeches in Virginia, Illinois. Democrats called their own meeting for the same time, and invited Judge John Pearson and Secretary of State Thompson Campbell to give their own speeches. In the winter of 1843-1844, Lincoln joined other Whigs in stumping Sangamon and other counties on behalf of the Whig Party in the 1844 federal election.
Summary of Speeches in Virginia, Illinois; Summary of Speeches in Virginia, Illinois; Summary of Speeches in Virginia, Illinois; Summary of Speech in Virginia, Illinois; Michael Burlingame, Abraham Lincoln: A Life (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 1:225.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).