Thomas Moffett and Others to David Davis, 30 March 18551
Springfield, Ills., March 30, 1855.Hon. David Davis:Dear Sir—The undersigned members of the bar in Springfield, would respectfully request your
assent to an anouncement of yourself as a candidate for re-election to the office of Judge of the Circuit
Court, in, and for this judicial circuit.2
Satisfied with the ability and impartiality with which the duties of the office have
been discharged by you for the past six years,— they are confident that your acceptance
of the office for another term would give general satisfaction to the people, and
meet with the approbation of the members of the bar in the circuit.
With the hope that you will return an affirmative answer to this request, we are—
Your friends.1The document text is attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but a manuscript version is his hand is not extant. The signatures are attributed
to the Lincoln and the other signatories, but no manuscript version with their signatures
has been located.
2David Davis responded to this request on April 10, 1855, consenting to be a candidate for re-election as
judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit and his response was published with this letter. His candidacy was thereafter announced
in the press, and the election was held on Monday, June 4, 1855. Davis ran unopposed
and won re-election with 1,170 votes.
Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 25 April 1855, 3:2; 4 May 1855, 3:2; Dewitt Courier (Clinton, IL), 8 June 1855, 2:1; The Weekly Rock Island Republican (IL), 4 July 1855, 3:3.
Printed Transcription, 1 page(s), Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 13 April 1855, 3:1.