Lincoln, Abraham, Sixteenth President

Autograph document signed ("James & Lincoln"), 1 page (12 1/2 x 8 in.; 319 x 203 mm), Tazewell Circuit Court, April Term 1851 (11 March 1851), being a praecipe filing in the debt action of Atchison v. Pekin, docketed on the verso by Lincoln.

Autograph document signed ("James & Lincoln"), 1 page (12 1/2 x 8 in.; 319 x 203 mm), Tazewell Circuit Court, April Term 1851 (11 March 1851), being a praecipe filing in the debt action of Atchison v. Pekin, docketed on the verso by Lincoln.
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This brief was likely filed by Lincoln's partner in the case, B. T. James, but was drafted by Lincoln. In the case of "William Atchison, who sues for the use of Mary Allen Wife of Madison Allen vs The City of Pekin," Lincoln requests that "The clerk of the Tazewell circuit court will please issue a Summons in the above entitled case."

Below this James has recorded, "I do hereby enter myself security for costs in this cause and acknowledge myself bound to pay or cause to be paid all costs which may accure in this action either to the opposite party or to any of the officers of this court in pursuance of the laws of this State."

The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, provides this summary of the case: "The city of Pekin, Illinois, gave Atchison four promissory notes totaling $400. The city failed to pay the notes and an additional $600 that it owed to Atchison. Atchison, for the use of Allen, retained Lincoln and sued the city in an action of debt. Atchison requested $1,000 for the debt and an additional $500 in damages. The city argued, among other things, that the notes were for a tract of land to establish a ferry, but Atchison never delivered clear title. The jury failed to reach a verdict, and the court discharged it. The parties reached a settlement, and the court dismissed the case" on 3 May 1853.