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communication, the disagreeable nature of which I regret, as I had hoped to avoid any difficulty with any one in Springfield while residing there, by endeavoring to conduct myself in such a way amongst both my political friends and opponents, as to escape the necessity of any. Whilst thus abstaining from giving provocation, I have become the object of slander, vituperation, and personal abuse which were I capable of submitting to, I would prove myself worthy of the whole of it.
In two or three of the, last numbers of the Sangamon Journal, articles of the most personal nature, and calculated to degrade me, have made their appearance.
On inquiring, I was informed by the editor of that paper, through the medium of my friend, General Whiteside, that you are the author of those articles.
This information satisfies me that I have become, by some means or other, the object of secret hostility.
I will not take the trouble of inquiring into the reason of all this, but I will take the liberty of requiring a full, positive, and absolute retraction of all offensive allusions used by you in these communications, in relation to my private character and standing as a man, as an apology for the insults conveyed in them.
This may prevent consequences which no one will regret more than myself.
Your ob't serv't,
Jas. Shields.
About sunset, General Whiteside called again, and secured from Mr. Lincoln the following answer to Mr. Shield's note:--
Your note of to-day was handed me by General Whiteside.
In that note you say you have been informed, through the medium of the editor of the Journal, that I am the author of certain articles in that paper which you deem personally abusive of you; and, without stopping to inquire whether I really am the author, or to point out what is offensive in them, you
