utions. In his judgment no
expression on the slavery question should go unaccompanied by the
statement that it was an evil, and he had the boldness to protest
immediately against the action of the House. He found only one man in
the Assembly willing to join him in his action. These two names are
joined to the document they presented:

"Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having
passed both branches of the General Assembly at its present
session, the undersigned hereby protest against the passage of
the same.

"They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on
both injustice and bad policy, but that the promulgation of
abolition doctrines tends rather to increase than abate its
evils.

"They believe that the Congress of the United States has no
power under the Constitution to interfere with the institution
of slavery in the different States.

"They believe that the Congress of the United States has power
under the Constitution to abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia, but that the power ought not to be exercised unless
at the request of the people of the District.

"The difference between these opinions and those contained
in the above resolutions, is their reason for entering this
protest.

"DAN STONE,

"A. LINCOLN,

"Representatives from the County of Sangamon."

[Illustration: WILLIAM BUTLER.

From a photograph owned by his grandson, Hon. William J. Butler,
Springfield, Illinois. William Butler was a native of Kentucky, being
born in Adair County, that State, December 15, 1797. In the war of
1812, he carried important despatches from the Governor of Kentucky
to General Harrison in the field, travelling on horseback. He went to
Sangamon County, Illinois, in 1828. In 1836 he was appointed clerk of
the Circuit Court by Judge Logan, whom he had known in Kentucky. In
1859 he was appointed by Governor Bissell State treasurer of Illinois,
to fill a vacancy, and in 1860 was elected to that office. He
was married to Elizabeth Rickard, December 18, 1863. He died in
Springfield, January 11, 1876. Soon after becoming a resident of
Springfield, Lincoln went to William Butler's house to board. There
he was like a member of the family. He lived with Mr. Butler until
his marriage in 1842. The two men were ever the warmest personal and
political friends.]

SOCIAL LIFE IN VANDALIA IN 1836 AND 1837.

The T