s that the making of the
history will be delayed for some time.

This {p.58} is written entirely from memory, as the papers and dates
to which we refer are not before me, but we will retain a copy and if
there proves to be any errors in this one, we will have them
corrected. There was such a demand for them that some of Dr. Peck's,
Lovejoy's, Douglas's, Lincoln's and some other letters were published,
and some of them are included in the papers we send.

Some years ago some one claimed that the old family notes had been
found, which led to statements in the papers that they would soon be
placed where people could see and read them; but it proved to be a
mistake. For the loss of the papers the family do not believe there
was any fault with the parties originally holding them, as in fact
they had the right to hold them where they pleased, according to the
agreement; but that from sudden deaths and other circumstances, they
were misplaced.

It should be added that every paper of any value, which was given to
the St. Louis parties to hold was copied and the copies preserved,
except mere personal, friendship letters, and of these there was quite
a large stock; also that much of Dr. Peck's writings and many letters
of his and others were loaned out and could not be given to the St.
Louis parties to keep, but all of any real value have been copied or
published, except the Lemen-Lincoln interviews and some others, and
that even some of these copies are loaned out, among them copies of
letters from Dr. Peck, Douglas, Lincoln, Lovejoy, if I recall
correctly, and others; though the facts or information in them have
already been published, except such facts as will be held for the
James Lemen history, and we have copies of them, so nothing will be
lost.

(Signed) JOSEPH B. LEMEN.

O'Fallon, Illinois,
January 10, 1911.

[N. B. The above communication accompanied the gift of the walnut
chest made by the elder James Lemen at Ft. Piggott, which was sent to
the custodian of the Baptist Historical Collection at Shurtleff
College, early in the year 1913--COMPILER.]

REFERENCES {p.59}

1. See p. 26.

2. Reynolds "My Own Times" and "Pioneer History of Illinois."

3. See "Territorial Records of Illinois" (Illinois State Historical
Library, _Publication_, III.), and compare p. 54 _post_.

4. See Biographical sketches in "Lemen Family History."

5. See pp. 33, 53.

6. S