The Locos (Democrats) here are in considerable trouble about Van Buren’s letter on Texas, and the Virginia electors.  They are growing sick of the Tariff question; and consequently are much confounded at V.B.’s cutting them off from the new Texas question.  Nearly half the leaders swear they won’t stand it.  Of those are Ford, T. Campbell, Ewing, Calhoun and others.  They don’t exactly say they won’t vote for V.B., but they say he will not be the candidate, and that they are for Texas anyhow.

As ever yours,
A. Lincoln.

1845 Selection of congressional candidates

To Gen. J. J. Hardin, Springfield, Jany. 19, 1845. 
Dear general: 

I do not wish to join in your proposal of a new plan for the selection of a Whig candidate for Congress because: 

1st.  I am entirely satisfied with the old system under which you and Baker were successively nominated and elected to Congress; and because the Whigs of the district are well acquainted with the system, and, so far as I know or believe, are well satisfied with it.  If the old system be thought to be vague, as to all the delegates of the county voting the same way, or as to instructions to them as to whom they are to vote for, or as to filling vacancies, I am willing to join in a provision to make these matters certain.

2d.  As to your proposals that a poll shall be opened in every precinct, and that the whole shall take place on the same day, I do not personally object.  They seem to me to be not unfair; and I forbear to join in proposing them only because I choose to leave the decision in each county to the Whigs of the county, to be made as their own judgment and convenience may dictate.

3d.  As to your proposed stipulation that all the candidates shall remain in their own counties, and restrain their friends in the same it seems to me that on reflection you will see the fact of your having been in Congress has, in various ways, so spread your name in the district as to give you a decided advantage in such a stipulation.  I appreciate your desire to keep down excitement; and I promise you to “keep cool” under all circumstances.

4th.  I have already said I am satisfied with the old system under which such good men have triumphed and that I desire no departure from its principles.  But if there must be a departure from it, I shall insist upon a more accurate and just apportionment of delegates, or representative votes, to the constituent body, than exists by the old, and which you propose to retain in your new plan.  If we take the entire population of the counties as shown by the late census, we shall see by the old plan, and by your proposed new plan,