Self-contained partial ADS, signed “Peters & Lincoln, p.d.,” one page, approximately 7.75 x 7.5, no date [May 1850]. An extract from a handwritten legal document. In full: “And for further plea in this behalf the said defendant says plaintiff actio non, because he says that, heretofore to wit, on the [blank] day of [blank] in the year A.D. [blank] and on divers other days and times after that day, and before the bringing of this suit at the county aforesaid, he, the said defendant fully paid to the said plaintiff the said sums of money in said declaration specified— And as evidence of said payment, said defendant says that heretofore Court, on the 13 day of May A.D. 1847, at the county aforesaid, the said plaintiff executed to and in favor of said defendant, his certain receipt in writing in the words, figures, and, mark following, to wit; ‘May 13. 1847. Received of F. Coburn five Dollars, in full of all Demands up to this Date. John his X mark Lee’ and this the said defendant is ready to verify, therefore he prays judgment & c.” In this case, John Lee, plaintiff, sued Francis Coburn, defendant, to collect $600 for five years of labor as a servant. Lincoln and Joseph Peters represented the defendant, Francis Coburn. There was no written contract, guarantee, or promise between the parties, and John Lee refused to prosecute the case further after the jury heard the evidence. Oliver L. Davis represented the plaintiff, John Lee. The judge in this case was David Davis; in 1862, Lincoln appointed Davis to the U.S. Supreme Court. In very good to fine condition, with chipping to edges (slightly touching a few words of text), a hint of subtle soiling, and partial separations along horizontal folds (touching two lines of text) with archival reinforcements. The writing and signature are clear and dark. JSA/John Reznikoff Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
