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Printed Handbill, TO THE PUBLIC, [August 5], 1837, Springfield, IL. 1 p., 9-1/8 x 12 in. With a smaller related printed handbill: Benjamin Talbott, Charles R. Matheny, William Butler, Stephen T. Logan, and Simeon Francis, supporting Lincolns accusations. August 7, 1837, Springfield, IL. 1 p., 6 x 12 in. "It is well known to most of you, that there is existing, at this time, considerable excitement, in regard to General Adam's titles to certain tracts of land."This is the only known surviving handbill of Abraham Lincoln's earliest printed work. During the election of a probate judge for Sangamon County, Illinois, Lincoln and others accused Democratic incumbent James Adams of fraud and forgery. A second, smaller handbill names Lincoln as the author of the first handbill and supports the claims against Adams.The Whig attacks were not well publicized, and Adams won reelection by a vote of 1,025 to 792. However, the controversy continued. On August 19, twelve days after the election, Springfield's Sangamo Journal republished the text of both broadsides as well as James Adams's denial, suggesting that his opponents were responsible for planting the forgery. In his letter, Adams refers to the anonymous author of the first handbill (Lincoln) as "Mr. Nobody." Excerpts [Lincoln handbill:]"TO THE PUBLIC"It is well known to most of you, that there is existing, at this time, considerable excitement, in regard to General Adam's titles to certain tracts of land. Some time in May or June last, a widow woman, by the name of Anderson, and her son.came to Springfield, for the purpose, as they said of selling a ten acre lot. When they reached town they found the land was claimed by Gen. Adams. John T. Stuart and myself were employed to look into the matter, and if it was thought we could do so with any prospect of success, to commence a suit for the land.""Gen. Adams was employed as an attorney by Anderson. When the widow came to Springfield last May or June.and found the land deeded to Gen. Adams by Miller, she was naturally led to enquire why the money due upon the judgement had not been sent to them, inasmuch as he, Gen. Adams, had no authority to deliver Thomas' deed to Miller until the money was paid. Then it was the Gen. told her.that Anderson, in his life time, had assigned the judgement to him, Gen. Adams. I am now told that the General is exhibiting an assignment of the same judgement bearing date '1828.' and in other respects differing from the one described; and that he is asserting that no such assignment as the one copied by me, ever existed; or if there did, it was forged between Talbott and the lawyers, and slipped into his papers, for the purpose of injuring him. Now, I can only say that I know precisely such an one did exist, and that Ben. Talbott, Wm. Butler, C. R. Matheny John T. Stuart, Judge Logan, Robert Irwin, P. C. Canedy, and S. M. Tinsley, all saw and examined it."[1][Talbott, Matheny, Butler, Logan, and Francis handbill:]"I, Benjamin Talbott, being first sworn do say.I did receive from Lucien B. Adams, in the house of Gen. James Adams, an instrument in writing in the hand-writing of Gen. Adams, dated in May, 1827, purporting to be an assignment of a judgement in favor of Joseph Anderson VS. Joseph Miller, to the said Adams; and I further state, that I gave the same instrument back to the daughter of the General on the same day on which I received it, together with the deeds and lease with which it was when I got it. And further, that Anderson's name was signed with a cross."[Matheny, Butler, and Logan then attest to their having seen the document and recognized Adams's handwriting. Simeon Francis, publisher of the Journal, adds this note:]"It having been stated this morning that the subscriber had refused to give the name of the author of the hand bill above referred to, (which statement is not true)-to save any farther remarks on this subject, I now sta. (See website for full description).
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