Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861].

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
Rights/Permissions: The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes, with permission from their copyright holder. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission.
Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln4
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln4. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 20, 2025.

Pages

To James W. Somers1Jump to section

James W. Somers, Esq Springfield,
My dear Sir: March 17, 1860

Reaching home from the East three days ago, I found your letter of Feb. 26th.

Considering your difficulty of hearing I think you would better settle in Chicago, if as you say, a good many already in fair practice there will take you into partnership. If you had not that difficulty I still should think it an even ballance whether you would not better remain in Chicago, with such a chance for a co-partnership.

If I went West, I think I would go to Kansas---to Leavenworth, or Atchison. Both these are, and will continue to be fine growing places.

I believe I have said all I can, and I have said it with the deepest interest for your welfare Yours truly A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1] ALS-F, Henry C. Whitney, Life on the Circuit with Lincoln, 1892, p. 266. Somers wrote that he wanted to leave Urbana, and asked Lincoln's advice as to going into partnership with Henry C. Whitney in Chicago, or going to Missouri or Kansas (DLC-RTL). See also Lincoln's letter of recommendation, March 28, infra.

Return