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558. Alexander Campbell to Jesse W. Weik.

La Salle Dec 12th 1888

My dear Sir

Your letter of 2nd inst has been received In answer to your interogotories in reference to money I gave Mr Lincoln for Campaign Expenses in 1856 and 1858 To the first. Did Mr Lincoln receive from you the Sum asked for in the letter which you have? I answer No.

I was present at the discussion between him and Douglass at Ottawa which I think was their first meeting in that Memorable and Ever to be remembered discussion and had short interview with him after the Close of the debate when I gave him I think thirty or forty dollars. I recollect give him Some more at two or three times thereafter during that Canvass but do not remember the amounts. I do however remember well that they were not as large as I Could have wished. For "times were "tighter" with me than they were 1856

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After Careful refection I do not think My Contributions to him during the dissions between him and Douglass were much of any over One hundred dollars.

2nd As to Mr Lincoln's reference in a published letter to N B Judd of a note for Five hundred dollars for Expenses incurred in the debates with Mr Douglass. I have to Say that the first and only and Knowledge I ever had of any such note is the mention of it in your letter I will add that I never had Mr Lincoln's note or other obligation for the payment of money. and that I never Kept any account of or even Charged my Memory with any money I gave him. It was given to defray his personal Expenses and other wise promoting the interest of a Cause — which Scincerly believed was for the public good — without any expectation or thought of a dollar of it Ever being returned And from What I Knew or learned of his Careful habits in money matters in the Campaign of 1856 I am Entirely Confident that Every dollar and dime I ever gave him was Carefully and faithfully applied to the uses and purposes for which it was given This I think Covers your main question There are Several other things which I think Germane to the general subject which I intended submitting to your judgment but Circumstances beyond my control prevents my doing so at this time

Sincerely Yours
A. Campbell

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 4678 — 81

nts

Notes.

1. AL to Judd, Nov. 16, 1858, CW 3:337.