Oscar F. Harmon to Abraham Lincoln, 4 December, 18581
Danville Ills.December 4th 1858–Friend Lincoln
By reference to the Journals of the Lower House of the Illinois Legislature, I notice, that at the opening of each Session the House adopts the rules in force during the previous Session–2
I would be very glad to get hold of these rules, but know of no way, to do it.3 By putting me on track of them you will confer a great favor–
Very RespectfullyO. F. HarmonHon A LincolnSpringfield Ills–<Page 2>
[Envelope]
DANVILLE Ill.[Illinois]
DEC[DECEMBER] 6 1858Hon A LincolnSpringfieldIllinois
DEC[DECEMBER] 6 1858Hon A LincolnSpringfieldIllinois
1Oscar F. Harmon wrote and signed this letter. He also wrote Abraham Lincoln’s name
and address on the envelope.
2The most recent Illinois General Assembly started on January 5, 1857. On January 6, members of the Illinois House of Representatives passed a resolution to adopt the rules used by the House in the previous regular
session. This had been the practice in previous sessions, going at least as far back
as 1849. The House and Senate adopted a set of joint rules in 1849.
Illinois House Journal. 1857. 20th G. A., 3, 10; Illinois House Journal. 1855. 19th G. A., 7; Illinois House Journal. 1853. 18th G. A., 6; Illinois House Journal. 1852. 17th G. A., 2nd sess., 4; Illinois House Journal. 1851. 17th G. A., 1st sess., 9; Illinois House Journal. 1849. 16th G. A., 1st sess., 7, 49-51.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).