Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln to Samuel D. Marshall, 20 June 18451
Springfield, June 20. 1845–Dear Sam:
I have wondered very much why you never wrote me, concerning the Dorman & Lane case, since I wrote you, as to the decision of it in the Suprepreme court–2 I learn this morning at the clerk's office, that Lane has not, as yet, taken out the order remanding it; and I think it possible, he may have abandoned it–3 You, perhaps, know his intention–4 The case of Gatewood vs. Wood & Wood—has that been settled? or how stands it?–

At the request of M^r Eddy, I attended a case in the Supreme court of Rawlings against Field, your father, M^r Eddy & some others, and got the judgment reversed–5 This was no business of yours, and I now only ask, as a favor of you, that if M^r Eddy is well you say to him I would like to have the little fee in the case, if convenient–

Please write me on the receipt of this–6
Yours forever–A. Lincoln

1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed the letter.

2Lincoln represented William and Nancy Dorman in the Illinois Supreme Court case of Dorman et ux. v. Lane, on appeal from the Gallatin County Circuit Court, where Samuel D. Marshall had represented them. Neither letter regarding the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court in Dorman v. Lane has been located. The court delivered its opinion on January 29, 1845, reversing the decision and remanding the case back to the Gallatin County Circuit Court.
Daniel W. Stowell et al., eds., The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and Cases (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2008), 1:274, 276.

3John Lane had not abandoned his case, but he had not yet paid the cost of the appeal, which had to be done before the Illinois Supreme Court clerk would send a copy of the judgment to the Gallatin County Circuit Court.
Daniel W. Stowell et al., eds., The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and Cases, 1:282-83.

4For later letters regarding the continuation of Dorman v. Lane, see Abraham Lincoln to Samuel D. Marshall, Abraham Lincoln to Samuel D. Marshall, Abraham Lincoln to Samuel D. Marshall, and Samuel D. Marshall to Abraham Lincoln.

5Lincoln represented Marshall’s father and three others on the appeal of a debt case to the Illinois Supreme Court. The court reversed the decision of $1,040.25 in damages against Lincoln’s clients and remanded the case back to the Gallatin County Circuit Court.
Field et al. v. Rawlings, 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=136018.

6Marshall’s reply to Lincoln has not been located.