end, as
the following letter, hitherto unpublished, shows:[3]

"SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, _August 5, 1837_.

"DEAR SIR:

"Mr. Edwards tells me you wish to know whether the act to
which your town incorporation provision was attached passed
into a law. It did. You can organize under the general
incorporation law as soon as you choose.

"I also tacked a provision on to a fellow's bill, to authorize
the relocation of the road from Salem down to your town, but
I am not certain whether or not the bill passed. Neither do I
suppose I can ascertain before the law will be published--if
it is a law. Bowling Green, Bennett Abell, and yourself are
appointed to make the change.

"No news. No excitement, except a little about the election of
Monday next. I suppose, of course, our friend Dr. Henry stands
no chance in your 'diggings.'

"Your friend and honorable servant,

"A. LINCOLN."

"JOHN BENNETT, ESQ.

As was to be expected, the Democrats charged that the Whigs of
Sangamon had won their victory by "bargain and corruption." These
charges became so serious that, in an extra session called in the
summer of 1837, a few months after the bill passed, Lincoln had a
bitter fight over them with General L.D. Ewing, who wanted to keep
Vandalia as the capital. "The arrogance of Springfield," said General
Ewing, "its presumption in claiming the seat of government, is not
to be endured; the law has been passed by chicanery and trickery; the
Springfield delegation has sold out to the internal improvement men,
and has promised its support to every measure that would gain a vote
to the law removing the seat of government."

Lincoln answered in a speech of such severity and keenness that
the House believed he was "digging his own grave;" for Ewing was a
high-spirited man who would not hesitate to answer by a challenge. It
was, in fact, only the interference of their friends which prevented
a duel at this time between Ewing and Lincoln. This speech, to many of
Lincoln's colleagues, was a revelation of his ability and character.
"This was the first time," said General Linder, "that I began to
conceive a very high opinion of the talents and personal courage of
Abraham Lincoln."

[Illustration: A STAGE-COACH ADVERTISEMENT, 1834.

This advertisement appeared in the "Sangamo Journal" in April, 1834,
and held a place in the paper through the next three years. As
the "Fou