Abraham Lincoln to Robert E. Williams, 15 August 18571
Springfield, Aug: 15. 1857R. E. Williams, Esq.[Esquire]Dear SirYours of the 12th in relation to a suit of Bakewell vs Allin, was received a day or two ago–2 I well remember the transaction; but as Bakewell will need no lawyer but you, and as there is likely to be some feeling, and both
the parties are old friends of mine, I prefer, if I can, to keep out of the case–
Of course I will not engage against Mr Bakewell–3
Yours trulyA. Lincoln2Robert E. Williams’ letter to Lincoln has not been located; therefore, some of the
context related to this lawsuit is missing.
3The suit Bakewell v. Allin may have been related to a case that Lincoln was involved with in the McLean County Circuit Court from 1851 to 1853—Campbell v. Allin. In that case, Alexander Campbell sued James Allin in the McLean County Circuit Court for an injunction concerning a deed to certain
property. Campbell retained Lincoln; Allin retained Asahel Gridley. Although the editors of The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition listed Edwin W. Bakewell as a plaintiff attorney alongside Lincoln in the case, Bakewell
was most likely a plaintiff alongside Campbell. In April 1853, Campbell dismissed
his bill of injunction.
Lincoln corresponded with Bakewell at least once about the Campbell v. Allin case. No further correspondence between Williams and Lincoln regarding the Bakewell v. Allin suit has been located.
For additional information on the case Campbell v. Allin, see: Campbell v. Allin, 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), https://lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=136840; Lincoln declined legal work from Williams, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, https://lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=141455.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).