“And The Defendant Doth The Like, Fenn & Lincoln”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865). Sixteenth President. 8” x 4”. A fragment of a manuscript legal brief signed at the lower left margin; “And the defendant doth the like Fenn & Lincoln p.d.” “And for replication to the twelfth plea by the defendant & above pleaded plaintiff says precludia now because he says that the said plaintiff was & is not indebted to the said defendant & in the several sums of money in said twentieth plea mentioned nor with of them nor any part thereof in manner & force as the said defendant hath in his said twentieth plea alleged, & of this he puts himself on the country. Peters & Ramsey for pltf. “And the defendant doth the like, Fenn & Lincoln p. d.”Ira Fenn was a local attorney with whom Lincoln worked with during the early part of his career. Fenn’s nephew, Dr. Charles Fenn was one of the seven founding members of the San Diego Medical Society and began his long career of medical practice and public service in San Diego. He went to serve the public welfare for many years throughout Southern California. A seldom seen legal association accomplished early during Lincoln’s legal career. Fine.

“ This Certifies that William Blount Esq. late paymaster - General of Militia of this state exhibited his account into the Comptrollers Office, upon oath, whereby it appears that he charged for £300,000 paper dollar money lost on the 16th of August 1780. Which at 175 for 1 (being the rate at which the Money was charged him in his former account settled in this office) amounts to £1714.5.4 For his service in Congress 2 months at £80 per month … and for the amount of Major General Caswell’s supplementary account …. ”

This historic document is also signed on verso by WILLIAM BLOUNT (1749-1800) U.S. Statesman. Blount served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention for North Carolina, was the first and only governor of the Southwest Territory and a Senator for Tennessee. In addition, he was the first U.S. Senator to be expelled from the Senate and the only Senator expelled outside of the Civil War.

During the Revolutionary War, William Blount served as regimental paymaster for the 3rd North Carolina Regiment. In this capacity, he fought alongside Washington’s main army in the defense of Philadelphia, an important battle that helped convince France to support the Revolution openly. Following this engagement, Blount returned home, serving first as chief paymaster of state forces and later as deputy paymaster general for North Carolina.

Upon the fall of Charleston, South Carolina, Blount helped to organize and serve with a North Carolinian militia. As a member of the North Carolina militia under the command of this document’s other signer, Richard Caswell, he was present at the disastrous battle of Camden on August 16, 1780. At this battle, General Horatio Gates hastily engaged British forces under Charles Cornwallis, and, due in large part to the untrained nature of the North Carolinian militia, saw his forces decimated in less than one hour. In the ensuing confusion, General Gates hastily departed the field along with many of his men, leaving behind not only seven guns, but also all American stores and baggage, a heavy loss that included the staggering sum of £300,000 noted in this document.

A fine document with a great association of two prominent North Carolina figures present at the disastrous Battle of Camden. A few minor pinholes. Some slight toning, not affecting legibility. Document tipped at edges to a paper frame, not affecting overall aesthetics. Very Fine.