The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 1: A Letter From the Lost Townships

A Letter From the Lost Townships

Article written by Lincoln for the Sangamon Journal in ridicule of James Shields, who, as State Auditor, had declined to receive State Bank notes in payment of taxes. The above letter purported to come from a poor widow who, though supplied with State Bank paper, could not obtain a receipt for her tax bill. This, and another subsequent letter by Mary Todd, brought about the "Lincoln-Shields Duel."

Back to chapter list of: The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 1