Mr. JOSHUA R. STANFORD.

SIR:--I hope the subject-matter of this letter will appear a sufficient
apology to you for the liberty I, a total stranger, take in addressing
you. The persons here holding two lots under a conveyance made by you, as
the attorney of Daniel M. Baily, now nearly twenty-two years ago, are in
great danger of losing the lots, and very much, perhaps all, is to depend
on the testimony you give as to whether you did or did not account to
Baily for the proceeds received by you on this sale of the lots. I,
therefore, as one of the counsel, beg of you to fully refresh your
recollection by any means in your power before the time you may be called
on to testify. If persons should come about you, and show a disposition
to pump you on the subject, it may be no more than prudent to remember
that it may be possible they design to misrepresent you and embarrass the
real testimony you may ultimately give. It may be six months or a year
before you are called on to testify.

Respectfully,
A. LINCOLN.




1854
TO O. L. DAVIS.

SPRINGFIELD, June 22, 1854.
O. L. DAVIS, ESQ.