The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln-VOL. II (Chap. 14.5)

Song Meaning

This is a private, confidential letter from Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois in December 1857, concerning a financial matter involving the Illinois Central Railroad Company (I. C. R. R. Co.). Lincoln is urging Dubois to agree to a proposal that would prevent the railroad company from being sued before January 1859. In exchange for this assurance, the company is ready to pay a significant sum, nearly $90,000, into the treasury. Lincoln frames his plea not as a lawyer seeking a client's advantage, but as a friend offering advice based on what he believes he would do in Dubois's position. He expresses a "good deal of anxiety" about the situation, highlighting the personal investment and urgency he feels. The core tension lies in the railroad's demand for legal forbearance versus the immediate financial benefit of their payment. The effectiveness of these lyrics, which are essentially a personal correspondence, stems from Lincoln's careful calibration of tone and his appeal to friendship and shared judgment. He is navigating a delicate negotiation, seeking to persuade Dubois by emphasizing their personal connection and his own perceived integrity in the matter. The explicit statement of confidentiality underscores the sensitive nature of the request and the trust placed in Dubois.