Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Julius Lehmann to Abraham Lincoln, 4 May 18581
Bloomington Ill May 4^th 1858Hon A. LincolnSir
I have by my Atty[Attorney] Mr Holmes commenced an action of Slander vs Dr H Schroeder of this place & wish to engage your legal services at the trial & generally in the case with Mr. Dr H.2

Will you write me whether you will accept of a retaner[retainer]3
RespectfullyDr. J. Lehmann

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[ endorsement ]
Lincoln, Abraham (President)Lehmann, Julius

Mark me down on your side–
A. Lincoln4

1Julius Lehmann wrote and signed this letter.

2Abraham Lincoln agreed to serve as one of Lehmann’s lawyers and the case commenced in McLean County Circuit Court in January 1859. Lehmann demanded $5,000 in damages from Dr. Herman Schroeder for slander. He won the case on January 8, but only kept $50 of the awarded $5,000.
Lehman v. Schroeder, 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=136776.

3A return letter from Lincoln to Lehmann has not been found, but Lincoln endorsed the back of this letter.

4Lincoln wrote and signed this endorsement.