of Petersburg should be gratified, if it can be done without a sacrafice of the wishes of others, and without detriment to the cause---nothing more. I can gain nothing in the contest by having it there. I showed your letter to Stuart, and he thinks there is something in your suggestion of holding it at your town. I should be pleased if I could concur with you in the hope that my name would be the only one presented to the convention---but I can not. Hardin is a man of desparate energy and perseverance; and one that never backs out; and, I fear, to think otherwise, is to be deceived in the character of our adversary.
I would rejoice to be spared the labour of a contest; but ``being in'' I shall go it thoroughly, and to the bottom. As to my being able to make a break in the lower counties, I tell you that I can possibly get Cass, but I do not think I will. Morgan & Scott are beyond my reach. Menard is safe to me. Mason---neck and neck. Logan is mine. To make the matter sure, your entire Senatorial District must be secured. Of this I suppose Tazewell is safe; and I have much done in both the other counties. In Woodford I have Davenport, Simms, Willard, Bracken, Perry[,] Travis, Dr. Hazzard [sic], and the Clarks [sic], & some others all specially committed. At Lacon, in Marshall the very most active friend I have in the District (If I except yourself) is at work. Through him I have procured their names, and written to three or four of the most active whigs in each precinct of the county. Still I wish you all in Tazewell, to keep your eyes continually on Woodford and Marshall. Let no oppertunity of making a mark escape. When they shall be safe, all will be safe---I think.
The Beardstown paper is entirely in the hands of my friends. The editor is a whig, and personally dislikes Hardin. When this Supreme court shall adjourn, (which it is thought will be about the 15th. of February) it is my intention to take a quiet trip through the towns and neighbourhoods of Logan county, Delevan [sic], Tremont, and on to & through the upper counties. Dont speak of this, or let it relax any of your vigilance.
When I shall reach Tremont, we will talk over every thing at large. Yours truly
A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[2] Dr. Anson G. Henry who was then a resident of Pekin, Illinois; the communication favoring Lincoln was signed ``A Whig,'' and appeared in the Tazewell Whig, December 27, 1845.
[3] ``A whig of Menard county, speaking on behalf of himself and others, expresses a wish, that the Convention for the nomination of a Whig candidate for Congress in this District, be held at Petersburgh. We know no reason why it should not; and if others are agreed, so are we.'' Sangamo Journal, January 1, 1846.
[4] Reverend William Davenport, minister of the Christian Church.