Lincoln on Lincoln

3. Seeking a Fortune in Springfield

3 SEEKING A FORTUNE IN SPRINGFIELD 1837-1844 15 APRIL 1837 On April 15, 1837 removed to Springfield, and commenced the practice, his old friend, Stuart taking him into partnership .l He and Stuart were "boon companions;' eating and sleeping together in the same boarding house. Both active supporters of Henry Clay, they served on the same assembly committees. They later split on the slavery issue. But meanwhile, Stuart left the routine practice to Lincoln while he played Whig leader. In the legislature, Lincoln said little the first year but, a good committeeman, made many friends, a valuable asset in moving the capital to Springfield, his home until leaving for Washington. Approaching thirty years of age, he thought about taking a wife, as narrated in his letters to a neighbor's sister, Mary Owens of Kentucky. Like ill-fated and unmentioned Ann Rutledge, she was of medium height but more rotund and, like Mary Todd, had a first-class education. 35 LINCOLN ON LINCOLN Mary Todd, his law partner's cousin, was also sister-inlaw of Ninian W. Edwards, power broker in Illinois Whig politics. In subsequently wedding Mary Todd, Lincoln gave political opponents a clear shot at accusing him of being a member of the Establishment. They were not far from wrong, for Mary Todd Lincoln, as mother of his sons, helpmate, and mentor, helped him develop as leader of his party and leading railroad lawyer in the Middle West. Meanwhile he was handling twenty-five to thirty cases each term, and in April 1841 would join the more scholarly Judge Stephen T. Logan (Angle, 100 Years 17, 11-22; Duff, 74-79). 7 MAY 1837 Springfield, May 7, 1837 Friend Mary [Owens] I have commenced two letters to send you before this, both of which displeased me before I got half done, and so I tore them up. The first I thought wasn't serious enough, and the second was on the other extreme. I shall send this, turn out as it may. This thing of living in Springfield is rather a dull business after all, at least it is so to me. I am quite as lonesome here as ever was anywhere in my life. I have been spoken to by but one woman since I've been here, and should not have been by her, if she could have avoided it. I've never been to church yet, nor probably shall not be soon. I stay away because I am conscious I should not know how to behave myself. I am often thinking about what we said of your coming to live in Springfield. I am afraid you would not be 36 Seeking a Fortune in Springfield satisfied. There is a great deal of flourishing about in carriages here, which it would be your doom to see without shareing in it. You would have to be poor without the means of hiding your poverty. Do you believe you could bear that patiently? Whatever woman may cast her lot with mine, should any ever do so, it is my intention to do all in my power to make her happy and contented; and there is nothing I can immagine, that would make me more unhappy than to fail in the effort. I know I should be much happier with you than the way I am, provided I saw no signs of discontent in you. What you have said to me may have been in jest, or I may have misunderstood it. If so, then let it be forgotten; if otherwise, I much wish you would think seriously before you decide. For my part I have already decided. What I have said I will most positively abide by, provided you wish it. My opinion is that you had better not do it. You have not been accustomed to hardship , and it may be more severe than you now immagine. I know you are capable of thinking correctly on any subject ; and if you deliberate maturely upon this, before you decide, then I am willing to abide your decision. You must write me a good long letter after you get this. You have nothing else to do, and though it might not seem interesting to you, after you had written it, it would be a good deal of company to me in this "busy wilderness." Yours, etc. LINCOLN2 AUGUST 1837 Springfield Aug. 16 1837 Friend Mary. You...