Record Data
Source citation
From Oliver P. Hall and Others to Abraham Lincoln, January 9, 1860 (Questions), Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress, http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/malhome.html.
Type
Letter
Date Certainty
Exact
Transcriber
Transcribed by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College, Galesburg, IL
Adapted by John Osborne, Dickinson College
Transcription date
Transcription
The following transcript has been adapted from the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.
Mechanicsburg Ill, Jan 9th/60
Dear Sir
We the undersigned as members (of what is styled the old Whig party) desire in a confidential maner to ask Your opinion of some of the leading questions of the day. There seems to be quite a diversity of opinion in reference to assertions made by You in Your speeches at different times. We as a body apply to you for information with all due deference to Your feelings hoping our petitions may meet your favor. In the first place we will ask you what You ment when you said this Union could not Stand half slave & half free. And also what you ment when you said a house divided against itself could not stand. We ask these questions as private Citizens hoping they will be answered privately. As we wish to use them privately. For which you have our regards &c
O. P. Hall
J. N. Fullinwider
W. F. Correll