Jonathan Haines to Abraham Lincoln, 26 July 18581
Janesville July 26th 1858Hon A Lincoln, Springfield Ill.Dr[Dear] SirYou will recolect that the 1st week in August was set as the time to prepare the matter against the Manny Co. at Rockford.2
Owing to the lateness of harvest in this and the section around Madison, I will not be able to reach home before the 3d or 4th– I think I can be at your place on the 6th if it will suit you; or if you would rather put it off until Monday the 9th, write or Telegraph me at Pekin the day you want me to be there. I will bring all the models & coppies with me.
If you are not at home, will your partner pleas get you this information to you, so you can advise me in the matter– It is possible that
I could be at your place on the 5th if you would prefer– I learned in Chicago a few days ago from Mr Wallas that Judge ^Dickey^ wanted to see the
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models to assist him in making out his bill of exceptions, I will write him that
they can be seen at your office after the 9th Aug.[August]
Try to get me word if possible what day I shall call at your office so as not to disappoint–3
Truly YoursJonathan Haines<Page 3>
[Envelope]
1Jonathan Haines wrote and signed this letter. He also wrote Abraham Lincoln’s name
and address on the envelope shown in the third image.
2Haines references the case Haines & Haines v. Talcott et al. In the case, brothers Jonathan Haines and Ansel Haines sued Wait Talcott, along with the other surviving representatives of Manny and Company, for infringement
upon a patent for a reaper (a kind of harvesting machine). The Haines brothers retained
Lincoln, who launched the case in July 1858.
The last correspondence that has been located between Haines and Lincoln related to
this case prior to this July 26 letter is dated March 27, 1858, and, in that letter, Lincoln does not mention meeting during the first week in August to prepare for
the case. Therefore, if Lincoln and Haines arranged via correspondence to meet during
the first week in August, that correspondence has not been located.
Haines & Haines v. Talcott et al., 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=137699.
3No reply from Lincoln communicating a time to meet with Haines in Springfield, Illinois,
in early August has been located. Lincoln and the Haines brothers corresponded at
least four more times regarding this case. Lincoln also corresponded with other individuals
regarding this case at least five times.
Lincoln wrote Peter H. Watson, the attorney for Talcott, requesting that they try the case in separate pieces.
Watson refused. The trial was delayed because both sides needed to take depositions.
No additional correspondence related to the case has been located beyond October 1859.
Lincoln most likely represented the Haines’ interests until he was elected president
in the 1860 Federal Election, but the outcome of the case is unknown.
In the fall of 1856, Jonathan Haines had also sued George H. Rugg in a separate case for infringing on his reaper patent and Lincoln also represented
him in that suit. For details on that case, as well as Rugg’s appeal of the case,
see Haines v. Rugg, 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=137748, and Rugg v. Haines, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, https://lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=137749.
Jonathan Haines to Abraham Lincoln; Jonathan Haines to Abraham Lincoln; Ansel Haines and Jonathan Haines to Abraham Lincoln; Abraham Lincoln to Jonathan Haines; Abraham Lincoln to Peter H. Watson; Peter H. Watson to Abraham Lincoln; Peter H. Watson to Abraham Lincoln; Abraham Lincoln to Peter H. Watson; T. Lyle Dickey to Abraham Lincoln; Haines & Haines v. Talcott et al., Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, https://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=137699.
Autograph Letter Signed, 3 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).