To Martin Bishop1Jump to section
Nov 10th 1853
Friend Bishop
We have consulted as to the proprietry of your accepting the proposition made you by the Central Rail Road through Col. Mason.
We are both decidedly of the opinion that the proposition you made them first will be better for you than the proposition of the Central Rail Road.
This opinion of ours is founded upon the belief that it will be impossible to build up any thing like a town on your farm. That if one were laid out there the only result would be to spoil a good farm and create a nuisance. We also think that under the state of feelings existing between yourself and the Rail Road and much of which will in all probability continue to exist that the sooner you sell out and part company with them the better for you.
Had you not better refer them to us to conclude this negotiation for you especially if they begin to make you new propositions. write to us soon Yours etc.
JOHN T. STUART
A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] LS, IHi, Letter is in Stuart's hand. The difference of opinion resulted in the case of Bishop v. Illinois Central Railroad. Lincoln eventually won the case as a lawyer for the railroad.