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231. Joshua F. Speed to William H. Herndon.

Louisville 13 Septr 1866.

Dear Sir.

Yours of the 9th is at hand. My recollection is that the Poem on Suicide was written in the Spring of 1840. or Summer of 1841.

It was published in the Sangamon Journal soon after it was written

The first No of the Louisville Journal issued 24 November 1830.

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In about a year the Louisville Focus an Older paper on the same Side sold out to the Journal.

The new Constitution of Ky was adopted in 1850 — The Convention which framed it was held in in the winter of 1849 & 50.

I know nothing of where he learned the Poem alluded to.

Your friend
J. F. Speed

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2642; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:193 — 94

nts

Notes.

1. This poem has not been located. WHH believed it had been removed from the Journal's backfile.