To John McNamar1Jump to section
You see the object of the above letter. As it speaks of the Tax of 1842. I had supposed the land was already sold, but, so far as the Returns in the Auditors Office shows, it has not. It may be that James meant the year 1843. I wish you would examine; and if the taxes have been paid up to this year, apply the enclosed money, or enough of it, to the payment of the tax of this year & send me the receipt by mail.
Write the condition in which it stands at any rate. Yours as ever
A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi. McNamar was in 1843 Menard County assessor. The approximate date of this letter can be inferred from the fact that it is written on the bottom of the letter from Josiah L. James, dated Tremont, November 3, 1843. Since Lincoln was attending court in Petersburg November 6-8, he would not have had to write McNamar about this matter if he had received the letter before his return to Springfield. November 9 is the earliest probable date, but the letter may have been written somewhat later. James' letter requested Lincoln to pay ``taxes on the land herein described for the year 1842---Viz---N.W. 1/4 $$$ 1/2 of S W 1/4 of S. 28---Town 19---R 5 West.'' (ALS-P, ISLA.)