142. Benjamin F. Irwin to William H. Herndon.

Pleasant Plain Feb 8 1866

Friend William

the Conversation to which you allude in yours of yesterday took place in the office of Lincoln & Herndon in the fall of 1854 in the presence of P L Harrison and yourself the Conversation was at the time between Lincoln and myself whether Just Before or after the Election I am not altogether positive But I quite certain about 2 days after the Election If I am right Harrison and

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me was there to get returns of the Election Mr Lincoln as I recollect said that the Next Morning after the Peoria Debate Douglas came to him and flattered him that he knew more on the question of the Territorial organization in this goverment from its organization than all the senate of the US and called his mind to the Trouble they had given him and replied that Lincoln had given him More trouble than all the opposition in the senate and then Proposed to Lincoln that if he Lincoln would go home and make no more speeches During the campaign that he Douglas would go to no more of his appointments and remain silent and I think if you will run your Mind Back Lincoln Did not make another speech until after Election

NB If you find that Lincoln spoke after the Peoria Debate you are write and if he did not then I am sure I am right If you run your Mind Back to that conversation It originated in this way after the Debate at Springfield on the 4th & 5th of October 1854 William Jane Myself John Cassady & Pascal Enos these names I remember filled out and signed a Written request to Lincoln to follow Douglas untill he run him into his hole or made him holler Enough and that day he was giving his report I dont remember how many names was on the Petition but the ones given I remember I will see P L Harrison and in 10 days I will see you in Person

your
B F Irwin

I write this with a pencil the girls has Misplaced the Ink

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2471 — 72; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:319 — 21

nts

Notes.

1. Probably Peyton L. Harrison of Pleasant Plains.

2. For an account of the "Peoria Truce," see Angle.