he Senate for the first time. Lincoln was the only Whig
from Illinois. This shows his great personal popularity. Daniel Webster
was then living in the national capital, and Congressman Lincoln stopped
once at Ashland, Ky., on his way to Washington to visit the idol of the
Whigs, Henry Clay.

As soon as Lincoln was elected, an editor wrote to ask him for a
biographical sketch of himself for the "Congressional Directory." This
is all Mr. Lincoln wrote--in a blank form sent for the purpose:

"Born February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky.

"Education defective.

"Profession, lawyer.

"Military service, captain of volunteers in Black Hawk War.

"Offices held: Postmaster at a very small office; four times a member of
the Illinois Legislature, and elected to the lower House of the next
Congress."

Mr. Lincoln was in Congress while the Mexican War was in progress, and
there was much discussion over President Polk's action in declaring that
war.

As Mrs. Lincoln was obliged to stay in Springfield to care for her two
little boys, Congressman Lincoln lived in a Washington boarding-house.
He soon gained the reputation of telling the best stories at the
capital. He made a humorous speech on General Cass, comparing the
general's army experiences with his own in the Black Hawk War. He also
drafted a bill to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, which was
never brought to a vote. Most of his care seems to have been for Billy
Herndon, who wrote complaining letters to him about the "old men" in
Springfield who were always trying to "keep the young men down." Here
are two of Mr. Lincoln's replies:

"WASHINGTON, June 22, 1848.

"DEAR WILLIAM:

"Judge how heart-rending it was to come to my
room and find and read your discouraging letter
of the 15th. Now, as to the young men, you must
not wait to be brought forward by the older
men. For instance, do you suppose that I would
ever have got into notice if I had waited to be
hunted up and pushed forward by older men?"

"DEAR WILLIAM:

"Your letter was received last night. The
subject of that letter is exceedingly painful
to me; and I cannot but think that there is
some mistake in your impression of the motives
of the old men. Of course I cannot demonstrate
what I say; but I was young once, and I am sure
I was never ungenerously