who resided at Petersburg,
an intimate friend of his, and by him circulated among those who were
instructed for him at the county convention.

It had the desired effect. The convention met, the scheme of the
conspirators miscarried, Lincoln was nominated, made a vigorous canvass,
and was triumphantly elected, thus paving the way for his more extended
and brilliant conquests.

This letter, Lincoln had often told his friends, gave him ultimately
the Chief Magistracy of the nation. He has also said, that, had he been
beaten before the convention, he would have been forever obscured. The
following is a verbatim copy of the epistle:

"April 14, 1843.

"Friend Morris: I have heard it intimated that Baker is trying to get
you or Miles, or both of you, to violate the instructions of the meeting
that appointed you, and to go for him. I have insisted, and still
insist, that this cannot be true.

"Sure Baker would not do the like. As well might Hardin ask me to vote
for him in the convention.

"Again, it is said there will be an attempt to get instructions in your
county requiring you to go for Baker. This is all wrong. Upon the same
rule, why might I not fly from the decision against me at Sangamon and
get up instructions to their delegates to go for me. There are at least
1,200 Whigs in the county that took no part, and yet I would as soon
stick my head in the fire as attempt it.

"Besides, if any one should get the nomination by such extraordinary
means, all harmony in the district would inevitably be lost. Honest
Whigs (and very nearly all of them are honest) would not quietly abide
such enormities.

"I repeat, such an attempt on Baker's part cannot be true. Write me at
Springfield how the matter is. Don't show or speak of this letter.

"A. LINCOLN."

Mr. Morris did show the letter, and Mr. Lincoln always thanked his stars
that he did.

HIS FAVORITE POEM.

Mr. Lincoln's favorite poem was "Oh! Why Should the Spirit of Mortal Be
Proud?" written by William Knox, a Scotchman, although Mr. Lincoln never
knew the author's name. He once said to a friend:

"This poem has been a great favorite with me for years. It was first
shown to me, when a young man, by a friend. I afterward saw it and cut
it from a newspaper and learned it by heart. I would give a great deal
to know who wrote it, but I have never been able to ascertain."

"Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud?--
Like a swift-fleeing