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Lincoln and the American Dream, 1832-1852 "VALUABLE TO HIS ADOPTED COUNTRY" Resolution and Letter on Napoleon Koscialowski [FEBRUARY 20, 1850] Koscialowski had served as an engineer and architect at the Illinois state capitol. Lincoln was one of twenty-two to sign the following resolution supporting the Polish national for a military commission. He also wrote a letter of reference for Koscialowski to carry to Washington. There is no record of whether he ever won his commission. To the Honorable, The Secretary of War, of the United States. Sir: 43 The undersigned, citizens of the State of Illinois, beg leave to recommend to your consideration the name ofNapoleon Koscialowski, for the appointment of Major, should there be a disposable post of that rank, in one of the Regiments to be raised for the protection of the U.S. frontier. We make this recommendation more earnestly, because we believe that your Department cannot possibly make a better appointment . Mr. Koscialowski is a native of Poland, and has been bred and has served as a soldier. He entered a military school at Warsaw at the age of sixteen, and having graduated then served three years in the Body-Guard ofthe Emperor ofRussia. He quitted that corps and joined his national banner in the year 1830, when the Poles made their bold but unfortunate attempt to regain their national independence. After several years' imprisonment, consequent upon the failure of the revolt, he with some others succeeded in making his escape to this country, and became a citizen of the U.S. in 1834. In 1846, when War was declared against Mexico, he volunteered and having raised a company in St Louis, was elected captain and served as such until discharged. He then volunteered again for the Term of During the War, and commanded a company on the Western frontier until Peace was concluded and he was discharged. In the course ofthis service, he has necessarily acquired much experience in this kind of warfare to which the frontier Regiments are destined-and we think, and so respectfully represent, that 44 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY this experience added to his education in a regular Military Academy, peculiarly fits him for the station to which we recommend him. As an accomplished civil engineer, also, we are the more confident that his services will be valuable to his adopted country. Mr. Koscialowski is a resident of Jacksonville, Illinois. Hon: Secretary of WarSir : Springfield, Illinois. Feb: 20 1850 Capt. Koscialowski, who will present you this letter, is an applicant for an appointment of Major in the new Regiments proposed to be raised by congress. I have already placed my name, among others, to a general recommendation of him for that appointment; but I now desire to say, a little more specifically, that I shall be much gratified if he shall be successful in his application. He is every way a gentleman, a great favorite with his acquaintances here, and, (as I understand, without any capacity for deciding myself,) has a military education, fitting him peculiarly for the position he seeks. Your Obt. Servt. "RESOLVE TO BE HONEST" Notes for a Law Lecture [JULY I, 1850?] A. LINCOLN As a lawyer, Lincoln specialized in persuadingjuries--a skill he also used to persuade audiences at political meetings and debates. There is disagreement over the date of this revealing advice on how to practice law; some scholars contend it was written after 1850. Nor is there any evidence that Lincoln gave a finished lecture on this topic, even though his notes contained the admonition: "Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day. " ...

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