let the slavery of the other States alone; while, on the other hand, I hold it to be equally clear that we should never knowingly lend ourselves, directly or indirectly, to prevent that slavery from dying a natural death—­to find new places for it to live in when it can no longer exist in the old.  Of course I am not now considering what would be our duty in cases of insurrection among the slaves.  To recur to the Texas question, I understand the Liberty men to have viewed annexation as a much greater evil than ever I did; and I would like to convince you, if I could, that they could have prevented it, if they had chosen.  I intend this letter for you and Madison together; and if you and he or either shall think fit to drop me a line, I shall be pleased.

Yours with respect,
A. Lincoln.

1846 Request for political support

To Dr. Robert Boal.  Springfield, January 7, 1846.

Dr. Robert Boal, Lacon, Ill.

Dear doctor:—­Since I saw you last fall, I have often thought of writing to you, as it was then understood I would, but, on reflection, I have always found that I had nothing new to tell you.  All has happened as I then told you I expected it would—­Baker’s declining, Hardin’s taking the track, and so on.

If Hardin and I stood precisely equal, if neither of us had been to Congress, or if we both had, it would only accord with what I have always done, for the sake of peace, to give way to him; and I expect I should do it.  That I can voluntarily postpone my pretensions, when they are no more than equal to those to which they are postponed, you have yourself seen.  But to yield to Hardin under present circumstances seems to me as nothing else than yielding to one who would gladly sacrifice me altogether.  This I would rather not submit to.  That Hardin is talented, energetic, usually generous and magnanimous, I have before this affirmed to you and do not deny.  You know that my only argument is that “turn about is fair play.”  This he, practically at least, denies.

If it would not be taxing you too much, I wish you would write me, telling the aspect of things in your country, or rather your district; and also, send the names of some of your Whig neighbors, to whom I might, with propriety, write.  Unless I can get some one to do this, Hardin, with his old franking list, will have the advantage of me.  My reliance for a fair shake (and I want nothing more) in your country is chiefly on you, because of your position and standing, and because I am acquainted with so few others.  Let me hear from you soon.

Yours truly,
A. Lincoln.

TO JOHN BENNETT.

Springfield, Jan. 15, 1846. 
John Bennett.

Friend John: