Abraham Lincoln, Autograph Legal Document, Signed Stuart & Lincoln

Description

With this Autograph Legal Document Abraham Lincoln,  for the plaintiff, first asks the clerk of the court to “issue process in the above submitted case remanded to the next term of said court” and Lincoln then adds his law firm name with John Todd Stuart.  Lincoln names this a “Tresspass (sic) on the case upon promises” with “Damages $2,000.” 

Just below, again naming the Tazwell Circuit Court, Lincoln dates and signs a promise to “enter myself security for costs in this cause and acknowledge myself bound to pay…all costs which may accrue in this action…in pursuant of the laws of this state.” 

The document is notable in two regards.  First, that it’s complete!  Unfortunately, many times such a document has been sliced in two, producing two items that might be sold separately for more money.  Second, besides leaving a form of his earliest signatures – small and leaning to the right – he also has written a most unusual “A,” that is extravagant in its elegant lead in, and one which we have not encountered before.  Yet this early autograph does exhibit some of the properties that later defined his signatures:  two dots after the “A” and its three-tier manner. 

Also of note, as this document presents, Lincoln was able to write sentences in straight lines, without rule lines to guide him. 

Interestingly, what really is on Lincoln’s mind at this point he revealed a mere two days later, when he wrote to Mrs. O. H. Browning on April 1^st the details of his courtship of Mary Owens:  “He describes his determination to propose and have matters settled – her refusal three times, which mortified him in ‘a hundred different ways….’” –Lincoln Day By Day.

Professionally repaired – for its time – along some folds and replacing (then) new paper where the wax seal was torn off.     

Lincoln.”  Tazwell Circuit Court, Springfield:  29 March 1838. “Robert W. Keys vs David Bailey, (et al).”  Folio; 1p. + address leaf to the Clerk of the court in “Tremont, Ills.” w/ a Springfield postal round stamp; very small remnant of its original wax seal.