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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Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln2
Cite this Item: "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 June 17, 2025.

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To Adam Adams and John Bovey1Jump to section

Messrs. Adams & Bovey Springfield,
Gentlemen: Augt. 2 1852

The court is about to adjourn; and it does not decide our case, but takes it under advisement---till next term. I suppose. It appears to me, however, that the signs are against us. What I mean by this is, that I have entire confidence that the law is with us on the Statute of Limitations, and yet it seems, I can not get the judge to remember that this is a question in the case at all. This morning he said he had a pretty decided opinion on ``the question'' already; but as it was a new, and very important one, he would consider it further. The ``the question'' he spoke of, was evidently, the question as to a lien on after acquired lands, & not the act of limitations. Now, as to the question of Limitations, we must have a hearing on

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it, even if we have to go to the Supreme Court of the U.S. for it---that is, if the other question shall be decided against us. Be patient. They have not got your land yet. Write me. Yours truly

A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1] ALS, ORB. John Bovey, Ogle County pioneer and farmer, was the man addressed. The case to which Lincoln refers was tried in the United States District Court and records for this period are not extant. See other letters to Adam Adams and Thomas J. Turner, supra and infra. (See VIII, 592-593)

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