has some relations in the Presbyterian churches, and some with the Episcopal churches; and therefore, wherever it would tell, I was set down as either the one or the other, while it was everywhere contended that no Christian ought to go for me, because I belonged to no church, was suspected of being a deist, and had talked about fighting a duel.  With all these things, Baker, of course, had nothing to do.  Nor do I complain of them.  As to his own church going for him, I think that was right enough, and as to the influences I have spoken of in the other, though they were very strong, it would be grossly untrue and unjust to charge that they acted upon them in a body, or were very near so.  I only mean that those influences levied a tax of a considerable per cent. upon my strength throughout the religious controversy.  But enough of this.

From a Letter to Joshua F. Speed.  Springfield.  October 22, 1846

We have another boy, born the 10th of March.  He is very much such a child as Bob was at his age, rather of a longer order.  Bob is “short and low,” and I expect always will be.  He talks very plainly—­almost as plainly as anybody.  He is quite smart enough.  I sometimes fear that he is one of the little rare-ripe sort that are smarter at about five than ever after.  He has a great deal of that sort of mischief that is the offspring of such animal spirits.  Since I began this letter, a messenger came to tell me Bob was lost; but by the time I reached the house his mother had found him and had him whipped, and by now, very likely, he is run away again.

From a Letter to William H. Herndon.  Washington.  January 8, 1848

Dear William, Your letter of December 27th was received a day or two ago.  I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, and promise to take in my little business there.  As to speech-making, by way of getting the hang of the House, I made a little speech two or three days ago on a post-office question of no general interest.  I find speaking here and elsewhere about the same thing.  I was about as badly scared, and no worse, as I am when I speak in court.  I expect to make one within a week or two, in which I hope to succeed well enough to wish you to see it.

It is very pleasant to learn from you that there are some who desire that I should be re-elected.  I most heartily thank them for their partiality; and I can say, as Mr. Clay said of the annexation of Texas, that “personally I would not object” to a re-election, although I thought at the time, and still think, it would be quite as well for me to return to the law at the end of a single term.  I made the declaration that I would not be a candidate again, more from a wish to deal fairly with others, to keep peace among our friends, and to keep the district from going to the enemy, than for any cause personal to myself; so that, if it should so happen that nobody else wishes to be elected, I could refuse the people the right of sending me again.  But to enter myself as a competitor of others, or to authorize any one so to enter me, is what my word and honour forbid.