SPRINGFIELD, October 4, 1842.
       DEAR SPEED:--You have heard of my duel with Shields, and I have now to inform you that the dueling business still rages in this city. Day before yesterday Shields challenged Butler, who accepted, and proposed fighting next morning at sunrise in Bob Allen's meadow, one hundred yards' distance, with rifles. To this Whitesides, Shields's second, said "No," because of the law. Thus ended duel No. 2. Yesterday Whitesides chose to consider himself insulted by Dr. Merryman, so sent him a kind of quasi-challenge, inviting him to meet him at the Planter's House in St. Louis on the next Friday, to settle their difficulty. Merryman made me his friend, and sent Whitesides a note, inquiring to know if he meant his note as a challenge, and if so, that he would, according to the law in such case made and provided, prescribe the terms of the meeting. Whitesides returned for answer that if Merryman would meet him at the Planter's House as desired, he would challenge him. Merryman replied in a note that he denied Whitesides's right to dictate time and place, but that he (Merryman) would waive the question of time, and meet him at Louisiana, Missouri. Upon my presenting this note to Whitesides and stating verbally its contents, he declined receiving it, saying he had business in St. Louis, and it was as near as Louisiana. Merryman then directed me to notify Whitesides that he should publish the correspondence between them, with such comments as he thought fit. This I did. Thus it stood at bedtime last night. This morning Whitesides, by his friend Shields, is praying for a new trial, on the ground that he was mistaken in Merryman's proposition to meet him at Louisiana, Missouri, thinking it was the State of Louisiana. This Merryman hoots at, and is preparing his publication; while the town is in a ferment, and a street fight somewhat anticipated.
       But I began this letter not for what I have been writing, but to say something on that subject which you know to be of such infinite solicitude to me. The immense sufferings you endured from the first days of September till the middle of February you never tried to conceal from me, and I well understood. You have now been the husband of a lovely woman nearly eight months. That you are happier now than the day you married her I well know, for without you could not be living. But I have your word for it, too, and the returning elasticity of spirits which is manifested in your letters. But I want to ask a close question, "Are you now in feeling as well as judgment glad that you are married as you are?" From anybody but me this would be an impudent question, not to be tolerated; but I know you will pardon it in me. Please answer it quickly, as I am impatient to know. I have sent my love to your Fanny so often, I fear she is getting tired of it. However, I venture to tender it again.
       Yours forever,
       LINCOLN.

Introductory
Introductory Note
Abraham Lincoln: An Essay by Carl Shurz
Abraham Lincoln, by Joseph H. Choate
Address to the People of Sangamon County.
To E. C. Blankenship.
Response to Request for Postage Receipt
Announcement of Political Views.
Response to Political Smear
To Miss Mary Owens.
Speech in Illinois Legislature.
Opposition to Mob-Rule. Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois.
Protest in the Illinois Legislature on the Subject of Slavery.
To Miss Mary Owens.
To John Bennett.
To Mary Owens.
Legal Suit of Widow v.s. Gen. Adams
Lincoln and Talbott in Reply to Gen. Adams.
Gen. Adams Controversy--continued
To Mrs. O. H. Browning--A Farce
Remarks on Sale of Public Lands
To _________ Row.
Speech on National Bank
To John T. Stuart.
Circular From Whig Committee.
To John T. Stuart.
Resolution in the Illinois Legislature.
Resolution in the Illinois Legislature.
Remarks in the Illinois Legislature.
Remarks in the Illinois Legislature.
To John T. Stuart--On Depression
Remarks in the Illinois Legislature.
Circular From Whig Committee.
Extract From a Protest in the Illinois Legislature Against the Reorganization of the Judiciary.
To Joshua F. Speed--Murder Case
Statement About Harry Wilton.
To Miss Mary Speed--Practical Slavery
To Joshua F. Speed--On Marriage
To Joshua F. Speed.
To Joshua F. Speed--On Depression
To G. B. Sheledy.
To George E. Pickett--Advice to Youth
Address Before the Springfield Washingtonian Temperance Society, February 22, 1842.
To Joshua F. Speed.
To Joshua F. Speed--On Marriage Concerns
To Joshua F. Speed.
To Joshua F. Speed.
A Letter From the Lost Townships
Lost Townships
Invitation to Henry Clay.
Correspondence About the Lincoln-Shields Duel.
To J. Shields.
To A. Lincoln From Jas. Shields
Memorandum of Instructions to E. H. Merryman, Lincoln's Second,
To Joshua F. Speed.
To James S. Irwin.
Resolutions at a Whig Meeting at Springfield, Illinois, March 1, 1843.
Circular From Whig Committee.
To John Bennett.
To Joshua F. Speed.
To Martin M. Morris.
To Martin M. Morris.
To Gen. J. J. Hardin.