To Elihu B. Washburne1Jump to section
I have this moment received your very short note asking me if old Taylor is to be used up, and who will be the nominee. My hope of Taylor's nomination is as high,---a little higher---than it was when you left. Still the case is by no means out of doubt. Mr. Clay's letter has not advanced his interests any here. Several who were against Taylor, but not for any body particularly, before, are since, taking ground, some for Scott2Jump to section and some for McLean.3Jump to section Who will be nominated neither I nor any one else can tell.
Now, let me pray to you in turn. My prayer is, that you let nothing discourage or baffle you; but that, in spite of every difficulty, you send us a good Taylor delegate from your circuit. Make Baker,4Jump to section who is now with you I suppose, help about it. He is a good hand to raise a breeze.
Gen: Ashley,5Jump to section in the Senate from Arkansas, died yesterday. Nothing else new beyond what you see in the papers. Yours truly
A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi. Washburne was a leading Whig attorney in Galena, Illinois, and later United States representative 1853-1869.
[2] General Winfield Scott.
[3] John McLean, associate justice of the Supreme Court.
[4] Edward D. Baker, who had moved to Galena.
[5] Chester Ashley.