Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) to Joshua F. Speed re: asking Speed to help Lyman Guinnip in Louisville
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04370 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1863/03/17 Pagination: 1 p. + env 20.3 x 12.6 cm Order a Copy
A confidential letter. Guinnip had been accused of helping slaves escape. Lincoln comments "I scarcely think he is guilty of any real crime."
Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), Vol. VI 1862 - 1863,
p. 140.
Notes: Basler 6: 140. Basler notes that no reply from Speed has been found. Lyman Guinnip was a colonel in the 79th Illinois Volunteers from Aug. 28- Oct. 17, 1862. He and C.G. Bradshaw were indicted for aiding the escape of a slave. The defendants paid $3,600 bail and failed to show up in court. John Smith Speed, Joshua's brother, was the foreman of the grand jury.
Confidential
Executive Mansion,
Washington, March 17. 1863
My dear Speed
I understand a Danville, Illinoisian, by the name of Lyman Guinnip, is under an indictment at Louisville, something about slaves. I knew him slightly. He was not of bad character at home, and I scarcely think he is guilty of any real crime. Please try if you can not slip him through.
Yours as ever
A. Lincoln
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