Correspondence Between Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas.

2

August 2, 1858.

We publish below the conclusion of the correspondence between Lincoln and Douglas. Douglas designates the seven places and the several times when and where he will be willing to meet Lincoln, and arranges to his own satisfaction the order of the debate. In all the preliminaries, Douglas, it will be seen, has taken all the advantages possible; but Mr. Lincoln, without any hesitation, accepts his terms without any modification. Here are the letters:

Mr. Douglas To Mr. Lincoln.
Bement, Piatt Co., Ill., July 30, 1858.

Dear Sir: -- Your letter, dated yesterday, accepting my proposition for a joint discussion at one prominent point in each Congressional District, as stated in my previous letter, was received this morning.

The times and places designated, are as follows:
Ottawa, LaSalle County……….August 21st, 1858.
Freeport, Stephenson County,………August 27th, 1858.
Jonesboro, Union County………September 15th, 1858.
Charleston, Celes County………September 18th, 1858.
Galesburgh, Knox County………October 7th, 1858.
Quincy, Adamas County………October 13th, 1858.
Alton, Madison County……….October 15th, 1858.

I agree to your suggestion that we shall alternately open and close the discussion. I will speak at Ottawa one hour, you can reply, occupying an hour and a half, and I will then follow for half an hour. At Freeport, you shall open the discussion and speak one hour, I will follow for an hour and a half, and you can then reply for half and hour. We will alternate in like manner in each successive place.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S.A. Douglas.

Hon. A. Lincoln, Springfield, Ill.

MR. LINCOLN TO MR. DOUGLAS.
SPRINGFIELD, JULY 31, 1858

HON. S.A. DOUGLAS -- Dear Sir: -- Your's of yesterday, naming places, times and terms, for joint discussions between us, was received this morning. Although, by the terms, as you propose, you take four openings and closes, to my three, I accede, and thus close the arrangement. I direct this to you at Hillsboro, and shall try to have both your letter and this appear in the Journal and Register of Monday morning.

Your obedient servant,
LINCOLN

So the people of the districts named will prepare to hear an able discussion from these two distinguished men. Let all turn out to hear them, and judge for themselves. We are sorry that Mr. Douglas was unwilling to extend the debate to other places; but "beggars must not be choosers."