(1832) and was beaten— the only time I ever have been beaten by the people— The next, and three succeeding biennial elections, I was elected to the Legislature— I was not a candidate afterwards. During this Legislative period I had studied law, and removed to Springfield to practice it— In 1846 I was once elected to the lower House of Congress— Was not a candidate for re-election— From 1849 to 1854, both inclusive, practiced law more assiduously than ever before— Always a whig in politics; and generally on the whig electoral tickets, making active canvasses— I was losing interest in politics, when the repeal of the Missouri Compromise aroused me again— What I have done since then is pretty well known—
If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am, in height, six feet, four inches, nearly; lean in flesh, weighing, on an average, one hundred and eighty pounds; dark complexion, with coarse black hair, and grey eyes— No other marks or brands recollected—
Yours very truly
J. W. Fell, Esq.
We the undersigned hereby certify that the foregoing statement is in the hand-writing of Abraham Lincoln.
David Davis.
Lyman Trumbull.
Charles Sumner.[1]
- ↑ The circumstances under which the original preceding sketch was written are explained in the following letter:—Colonel Ward H. Lamon:Dear Sir,—In compliance with your request, I place in your hands a copy of a manuscript in my possession written by Abraham Lincoln, giving a brief account of his early history, and the com-
National Hotel, Washington, D. C,
Feb. 19, 1872.
