TO A. LINCOLN FROM JAS. SHIELDS

Tremont, September 17, 1842.

Abra.  Lincoln, Esq.:—­In reply to my note of this date, you intimate that I assume facts and menace consequences, and that you cannot submit to answer it further.  As now, sir, you desire it, I will be a little more particular.  The editor of the Sangamon Journal gave me to understand that you are the author of an article which appeared, I think, in that paper of the 2d September instant, headed “The Lost Townships,” and signed Rebecca or ’Becca.  I would therefore take the liberty of asking whether you are the author of said article, or any other over the same signature which has appeared in any of the late numbers of that paper.  If so, I repeat my request of an absolute retraction of all offensive allusions contained therein in relation to my private character and standing.  If you are not the author of any of these articles, your denial will be sufficient.  I will say further, it is not my intention to menace, but to do myself justice.

Your obedient servant, JAS. Shields.

MEMORANDUM OF INSTRUCTIONS TO E. H. MERRYMAN,

Lincoln’s Second,

September 19, 1842.

In case Whitesides shall signify a wish to adjust this affair without further difficulty, let him know that if the present papers be withdrawn, and a note from Mr. Shields asking to know if I am the author of the articles of which he complains, and asking that I shall make him gentlemanly satisfaction if I am the author, and this without menace, or dictation as to what that satisfaction shall be, a pledge is made that the following answer shall be given: 

“I did write the ‘Lost Townships’ letter which appeared in the Journal of the 2d instant, but had no participation in any form in any other article alluding to you.  I wrote that wholly for political effect—­I had no intention of injuring your personal or private character or standing as a man or a gentleman; and I did not then think, and do not now think, that that article could produce or has produced that effect against you; and had I anticipated such an effect I would have forborne to write it.  And I will add that your conduct toward me, so far as I know, had always been gentlemanly; and that I had no personal pique against you, and no cause for any.”

If this should be done, I leave it with you to arrange what shall and what shall not be published.  If nothing like this is done, the preliminaries of the fight are to be—­

First.  Weapons:  Cavalry broadswords of the largest size, precisely equal in all respects, and such as now used by the cavalry company at Jacksonville.

Second.  Position:  A plank ten feet long, and from nine to twelve inches broad, to be firmly fixed on edge, on the ground, as the line between us, which neither is to pass his foot over upon forfeit of his life.  Next a line drawn on the ground on either side of said plank and parallel with it, each at the distance of the whole length of the sword and three feet additional from the plank; and the passing of his own such line by either party during the fight shall be deemed a surrender of the contest.