Description:

Lincoln Takes on a Contingency Case in Illinois, 1852

ADS [signed in the text "A Lincoln"], measuring 8" x 5", dated May 15, 1852, Danville, IL. Legal document written in Lincoln's hand stating that one C.L. Pate will pay a total of 80 dollars to Lincoln and O.L. Davis for representation in court in the event that his case is won. Docketed on verso "C L Pates note/ $80.00". General toning throughout, with minor uneven tearing to bottom edge, not affecting text. Evidence of slight restoration on verso, otherwise very fine.

In full:

"For value received I promise to pay O.L. Davis, and A Lincoln, eighty dollars, whenever the five suits brought in the Vermilion county circuit court, by the People of the State of Illinois, against me, on five general Recognizance of law, shall be finally decided in my favor, and not before- /C.L. Pate"

The case of The People V. Pate was brought to the Illinois Supreme Court in December of 1853, in which Lincoln represented the aforementioned Charles L. Pate in an action of debt. Lincoln ultimately lost the case, with the final ruling having stipulated that Pate pay back his debt in full, a total of one hundred and fifty dollars. As the document states, payment was not due to Lincoln for his services in this case, as the matter was not "finally decided in my [Pate's] favor". Throughout his time practicing on the Illinois bar, Lincoln appeared before the Supreme Court in 175 cases. Of the 175, he would act as sole counsel in 51 cases, more than half of which were decided in his favor. It was during this time that he acquired the nickname "Honest Abe", which became a reference to his growing legal reputation.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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