Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clark, 31 May 18581
Springfield, Ills. May 31. 1858John M. Clark, Esq[Esquire]Vincennes, Ia.2Dear SirYour note upon Whitten I received long ago–3 Did not think it could be collected– Mislaid the note for a while– Have found
it again, and will take it to Chicago the first time I go— in July perhaps— and try to get the money of Whitten– He has
employment there now–4
Yours &c.[etc]A. Lincoln2Lincoln was known to sometimes use “Ia” as an abbreviation for Indiana. For several examples, see Abraham Lincoln to Joel B. McFarland, Abraham Lincoln to James F. Babcock, and Abraham Lincoln to Richard M. Corwine.
3Whitten could not be positively identified. Neither Whitten’s promissory note to John
M. Clark nor any additional correspondence between Lincoln and Clark concerning Whitten
could be located; therefore, some of the context for this letter is missing.
Lincoln collected debt for Clark, 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://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=141243.
4Lincoln indeed traveled to Chicago in July. He attended to legal business in the city
from July 9 to 14 and again from July 21 to 24. It is not known whether he was able
to collect on Whitten’s debt.
The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln, July 1858, https://thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarMonth&year=1858&month=7.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).