Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2 [Sept. 3, 1848-Aug. 21, 1858].
About this Item
Title
Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2 [Sept. 3, 1848-Aug. 21, 1858].
Author
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication
New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press
1953.
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"Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2 [Sept. 3, 1848-Aug. 21, 1858]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln2. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 14, 2024.
Wm. H. Grigsby, Esq. Springfield,
My dear Sir: Aug: 3. 1858
Yours of the 14th. of July, desiring a situation in my law office, was received several days ago. My partner, Mr. Herndon, controls our office in this respect, and I have known of his declining at least a dozen applications like yours within the last three months.
If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get books, sit down anywhere, and go to reading for yourself. That will make a lawyer of you quicker than any other way. Yours Respectfully,
A. LINCOLN.
descriptionPage 536
Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi. William H. Grigsby, nineteen years of age and a native of Missouri, who was employed by G. L. Thomas, Bookseller and Stationer, at Pekin, Illinois, wrote Lincoln, July 14, 1858, applying to study in the Lincoln & Herndon law office (DLC-RTL). Probably he was related to the Grigsby family whom Lincoln had known in Spencer County, Indiana, but his letter does not specify.