The Daily Morning Journal And Courier

Among the Lincoln relics sold in Philadelphia last week was an autograph letter written by Lincoln, October 3, 1853, to M. Brayman, president of the Illinois Central railroad, offering his services as attorney for the company in a suit brought against it by the county of McLean.

The second was Lincoln's autograph copy of his bill for legal services rendered the Illinois Central Railroad company in its suit which was won in December, 1855. The bill was for $5,000, to which Lincoln has appended the names of six members of the Illinois bar, who certify to the amount not being unreasonable—Grant Goodrich, N. B. Judd, Archibald Williams, N. H. Purple, O. H. Browning and R. S. Blackwell.

The third was the check for $250 given him as a retainer, if successful. Mr. Lincoln was to be paid a fee of $1,000. After carrying the suit through the Supreme court and gaining it, he presented a bill for the unpaid balance of his fee. It happened that President Brayman was absent, and Mr. Lincoln was referred with his bill to the superintendent of the company, who refused to pay it, remarking at the same time: "That is as much as a first-class lawyer would charge."

The gentleman who spoke thus disparagingly of the services of a future President of the United States was General George B. McClellan, who at that time was superintendent of the Illinois Central railroad.

The original feebook of the law firm of Lincoln & Herndon for the year 1847 sold for $60, while the marriage certificate of Lincoln was knocked down at $40.