Abraham Lincoln to Usher F. Linder and Henry P. H. Bromwell, 13 January 18581
Springfield, Jany 13, 1858
Messrs[Messieurs] Linder & Bromwell
Gentlemen–Your letter & declaration received.2 I have just made some little corrections in the declaration and commenced the suit—to
next June Term—it could not be earlier–3
Herewith is a blank bond for cost which you will please sign and return– Sign your
individual names– Need not fill up the bond, but understand that the clerk will do that–4
Yours trulyA. Lincoln–2Lawyers Usher F. Linder and Henry P. H. Bromwell wrote to Lincoln on January 11, 1858,
asking him to review a declaration they had written for any errors or missing information.
The document was to be submitted to the United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois, of which Linder and Bromwell were unfamiliar.
Letter, Document ID: 62823; Declaration, Document ID: 62824, Shepard v. Walker, 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=137491.
3Lincoln is referencing Shepard v. Walker, which did begin in June 1858. Lincoln served as an attorney for the plaintiff, Jeremiah
B. Shepard, along with Linder and Bromwell. The case involved Shepard and Richard
Walker making a contract in which Walker sold Shepard 1,200 hogs. Shepard paid $1,700
in advance, but when Walker failed to deliver the hogs, Shepard sued him for $5,000
in damages. The parties reached an agreement, and the court dismissed the case in
the same month.
Shepard v. Walker, 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=137491.
4The blank bond Lincoln references has not been located. George W. Lowry (Lowery) acted as clerk on the case.
Shepard v. Walker, 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=137491.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Henry Pelham Holmes Bromwell Papers, Box 2, Volume 11:1028c , Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (Washington, DC)