American jurist and politician (1815-1886). A close friend to Abraham Lincoln, he served as a circuit court judge in Illinois until President Lincoln named him to the US Supreme Court, where he sat from 1862 to 1877. ALS, one page both sides, 5 x 7.75, September 5, 1870. Response to a gentleman seeking the autograph of President Abraham Lincoln, in part: "I have carefully looked over all Mr. Lincoln's papers in my hands to see if it were possible to comply with your request. And I am sorry to say that I can find nothing better to send you than the enclosed—It is a letter addressed to Mr. Lincoln to engage his services as a lawyer, and his endorsement on the letter, was written at Clinton, the county seat of DeWitt Co. where I was holding court at the time, & where he was attending court. The memorandum is a little out of the ordinary course, & being signed by Mr. Lincoln & all in his handwriting, may serve your purpose. I have given away all letters addressed to myself of a character that I could properly give away, and cannot find any document that ought to be spared." In fine condition, with some light creasing. From the Collection of Dr. Lawrence E. Miller.
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