Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Campbell, Alexander. 'Alexander Campbell to Jesse W. Weik' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: letter]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon669b.html

La Salle Dec 12th 1888

My dear Sir

Your letter of 2nd inst has been received In answer to your interogotories in reference to money I gave Mr Lincoln for Campaign Expenses in 1856 and 1858 To the first. Did Mr Lincoln receive from you the Sum asked for in the letter which you have? I answer No.

I was present at the discussion between him and Douglass at Ottawa which I think was their first meeting in that Memorable and Ever to be remembered discussion and had short interview with him after the Close of the debate when I gave him I think thirty or forty dollars. I recollect give him Some more at two or three times thereafter during that Canvass but do not remember the amounts. I do however remember well that they were not as large as I Could have wished. For "times were "tighter" with me than they were 1856

After Careful refection I do not think My Contributions to him during the dissions between him and Douglass were much of any over One hundred dollars.

2nd As to Mr Lincoln's reference in a published letter to N B Judd ^[1] of a note for Five hundred dollars for Expenses incurred in the debates with Mr Douglass. I have to Say that the first and only and Knowledge I ever had of any such note is the mention of it in your letter I will add that I never had Mr Lincoln's note or other obligation for the payment of money. and that I never Kept any account of or even Charged my Memory with any money I gave him. It was given to defray his personal Expenses and other wise promoting the interest of a Cause — which Scincerly believed was for the public good — without any expectation or thought of a dollar of it Ever being returned And from What I Knew or learned of his Careful habits in money matters in the Campaign of 1856 I am Entirely Confident that Every dollar and dime I ever gave him was Carefully and faithfully applied to the uses and purposes for which it was given This I think Covers your main question There are Several other things which I think Germane to the general subject which I intended submitting to your judgment but Circumstances beyond my control prevents my doing so at this time

Sincerely Yours
A. Campbell

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 4678 — 81

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