Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln to George U. Miles, 17 February 18561
Springfield Ills Feby 17^th 1856 G. U. Miles
But, my dear Sir, I understand the land is worth $1200 or $1500–2 Now deduct credit, and count interest on the note, and you will find that $203–41 cents is the utmost a decree could be rendered for up to Jan^y[January] 7. 1856–

Suppose I foreclose, you will bid this sum; if nobody bids more, all will be well; but someboy will bid more; and then how will you stand? You will have to let the land go for that sum; or bid higher, and advance the cash for all above that sum– Dont you see?3
A. Lincoln

1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this document save the location and date which was written in an unknown hand.

2Lincoln’s previous letter to George U. Miles of February 14 details the court case involving the land in discussion, Webster & Hickox v. Goodman & McAtee. Lincoln served as an attorney for Webster & Hickox, the firm which sued to have the mortgage foreclosed on the piece of land then in Miles’ possession.
Webster & Hickox v. Goodman & McAtee, 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=140735.

3Lincoln is trying to convince Miles that continuing the lawsuit Webster & Hickox v. Goodman & McAtee would most likely cost Miles more money and the safer alternative was to dismiss the case. Lincoln’s advice appears to have eventually worked, as the case was stricken from the court docket and dismissed on April 25, 1857.
Decree, Document ID 126235, Webster & Hickox v. Goodman & McAtee, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=140735.