Baker, too, who is now here, says the
truth is undoubtedly that way; and whenever he shall speak out, he will
say so. Colonel Doniphan, too, the favorite Whig of Missouri, and who
overran all Northern Mexico, on his return home in a public speech at St.
Louis condemned the administration in relation to the war. If I remember,
G. T. M. Davis, who has been through almost the whole war, declares in
favor of Mr. Clay; from which I infer that he adopts the sentiments of
Mr. Clay, generally at least. On the other hand, I have heard of but one
Whig who has been to the war attempting to justify the President's
conduct. That one was Captain Bishop, editor of the Charleston Courier,
and a very clever fellow. I do not mean this letter for the public, but
for you. Before it reaches you, you will have seen and read my pamphlet
speech, and perhaps been scared anew by it. After you get over your
scare, read it over again, sentence by sentence, and tell me honestly
what you think of it. I condensed all I could for fear of being cut off
by the hour rule, and when I got through I had spoken but forty-five
minutes.
Yours forever,
A. LINCOLN.
TO WILLIAM H. HERNDON.
WASHINGTON, February 2, 1848
DEAR WILLIAM:--I just take my pen to say that Mr.
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