Yours as ever,
A. LINCOLN.




TO J. D. JOHNSTON.

SHELBYVILLE, Nov. 4, 1851
DEAR BROTHER:

When I came into Charleston day before yesterday I learned that you are
anxious to sell the land where you live, and move to Missouri. I have
been thinking of this ever since, and cannot but think such a notion is
utterly foolish. What can you do in Missouri better than here? Is the
land richer? Can you there, any more than here, raise corn and wheat and
oats without work? Will anybody there, any more than here, do your work
for you? If you intend to go to work, there is no better place than right
where you are; if you do not intend to go to work you cannot get along
anywhere. Squirming and crawling about from place to place can do no
good. You have raised no crop this year, and what you really want is to
sell the land, get the money and spend it. Part with the land you have,
and, my life upon it, you will never after own a spot big enough to bury
you in. Half you will get for the land you spend in moving to Missouri,
and the other half you will eat and drink and wear out, and no foot of
land will be bought. Now I feel it is my duty to have no hand in such a
piece of foolery. I feel that it is so even on your own account, and
particularly on Mother's account. The eastern forty acres I intend to
keep for Mother while she lives; if you will not cultivate it, it will