their purpose; for their "taverns" were as mythical as the inn of
Berry and Lincoln.

At the granting of a tavern license, the applicants therefor were
required by law to file a bond. The bond given in the case of Berry
and Lincoln was as follows:

Know all men by these presents, we, William F. Berry, Abraham
Lincoln and John Bowling Green, are held and firmly bound unto
the County Commissioners of Sangamon County in the full sum
of three hundred dollars to which payment well and truly to
be made we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and
administrators firmly by these presents, sealed with our seal
and dated this 6th day of March A.D. 1833. Now the condition
of this obligation is such that Whereas the said Berry &
Lincoln has obtained a license from the County Commissioners
Court to keep a tavern in the Town of New Salem to continue
one year. Now if the said Berry & Lincoln shall be of good
behavior and observe all the laws of this State relative to
tavern keepers--then this obligation to be void or otherwise
remain in full force.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN [Seal]
WM. F. BERRY [Seal]
BOWLING GREEN [Seal]

This bond appears to have been written by the clerk of the
Commissioners' Court; and Lincoln's name was signed by some one other
than himself, very likely by his partner Berry.