Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln to Cornell, Waite & Jameson, 2 June 18571

(Copy.)
“Springfield June 2. 1857. “Messrs.[Messieurs] Cornell, Waite & Jameson “Chicago, Ills. “Gentlemen:
“Yours of the 29^th was duly received–2 This morning I went to the Register with four hundred dollars in gold in my hand and tendered to the Register Land of the Land Office a written application to enter the land, as you requested, all which the Register declined– I have made a written memorandum of the facts,3 deposited the gold with J. Bunn (who furnished it to me on the draft you sent) and took his Certificate of deposite, which certificate and memorandum I hold subject to your order–

Now, if you please, send me ten dollars, as a fee.4
“Yours Truly“A. Lincoln
(The above copy is exact, including punctuation.)

1An unknown person wrote this handwritten transcription. A version in Abraham Lincoln’s hand is not extant.

2The May 29, 1857, letter from Cornell, Waite & Jameson to Lincoln has not been located.

3This memorandum has not been found.

4Lincoln deposited the money in June 1857.
Lincoln registered land for Cornell et al., 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=141529.