ALS signed “A. Lincoln,” one page, 7.75 x 9, May 22, 1858. Handwritten letter to "W. H. Davenport," in full: "Yours of the 14th is just received. In your case at Danville, I got just so far, and no farther, that to be ready to take testimony for the next term—I guess we will have to take the deposition of the man on the land. (I forget his name just now). We want to prove by him that he was not notified of his entry being canceled. At this sitting I write Judge Harriott about your father's business." In fine condition, with some scattered light soiling. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed by Abraham Lincoln to William H. Davenport in Eureka, Illinois, postmarked at Springfield.
This letter is recorded in the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II, edited by Roy P. Basler. The recipient, William H. Davenport, was a farmer near Eureka, Illinois, and brought a legal case against Lafayette H. Sconce and William C. Don Carlos concerning a fraudulent land registration made by Don Carlos while a clerk in the Land Office at Danville, Illinois. Davenport retained Abraham Lincoln and Shelby M. Cullom to represent him in the case, which was ultimately decided in his favor on November 24, 1860.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$500.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
