Daniel P. Roberts to Logan & Lincoln, 29 June 18581
Ellis Grove June 29th 1858Dear SirsYour favor of the 14th has this day come to hand–2 We have had no mail for the three weeks past— in consequence of the flood. the
people of Kaskaskia have all been compelled to abandon the Town–3 I should of been to Springfield if I could of got there–4 I could not leave my family and property to the mercy of the water– I enclosed
you four afidavits—5 I do not no whether they reached or not— I think sufficient to decide the case. you will please
inform me as to what disposition, you made of the suit– I did not get the Letter
til after the time was set for trial– I want to beat them– it will be very heard if I have to pay this thing which is wholly unjust. please acknowledge the receipt
of this.
you will direct your Letter Ellis Grove— this place is three miles East of Kaskaskia–
I shal remain here til the water goes down6
Very respectfully your obt srvt[obedient servant]D P RobertsLogan & Lincoln Atty[Attorneys] at Law Springfield Ills[Illinois]<Page 2>
[Envelope]
Logan & Lincoln Esqr[Esquire]Attys at LawSpringfieldIlls
1Daniel P. Roberts wrote and signed this letter. He also wrote Logan's & Lincoln's
name and address on the envelope shown in the second image.
3Central Illinois experienced heavy rain throughout the first half of June 1858. A
number of bridges and roads were washed away or damaged from flooding, and Kaskaskia,
Illinois was almost completely submerged in water.
Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 4 June 1858, 3:1; 5 June 1858, 3:1; 8 June 1858, 1:1; 11 June 1858,
3:1.
4Roberts is referring to the 1858 Illinois Republican Convention, which took place in Springfield, Illinois.
Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 17 June 1858, 2:2-5.
6If either Stephen T. Logan or Abraham Lincoln wrote a response to this letter, it has not been located.
Roberts is discussing the case J. H. Alexander & Co. v. Roberts & Morse. In the case, J. H. Alexander & Company claimed that both Roberts and Edward C.
Morse of the firm Roberts & Morse owed them $1,136.83 on an account. After Roberts
and Morse failed to pay, J. H. Alexander & Company sued them in an action of assumpsit
and requested $2,000 in damages. Roberts retained Logan and Lincoln and argued that
he was not a partner with Morse and that the debt was Morse's alone. The case came
before the U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois in January 1857. The parties ultimately reached an agreement and, in January 1860,
the court ruled for J. H. Alexander and Company against both Roberts and Morse and
awarded $687.78.
J. H. Alexander & Co. v. Roberts & Morse, 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=137494.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).