Dear Hon. Lincoln
Please accept the Eagle quill (I promised you) by the Hand of our
Representative A A Smith. The bird from whose wing the quill was
taken was shot By John F.Dillon in Persifer Township Knox Co Illinois
in February of 1857.
Having Heard that James Buccannon was furnished with an Eagle quill
to write his Inaugeral address with And believing that in1860 a
Republican would be Elected to take his place. I determined to save
this quill & present it to the fortunate man whom he might be
Report tells us that the bird which furnished Buccannon's quill
was a Captive bird. Fitting emblem of the man that used it. But
the bird from which this quill was taken yealded the quill onely
with its life Fit Emblem of the man who is expected to use it. For
all true Republicans believe that you would not think life worth
the Keeping after theSurrender of principle Great difficulties surround
you. Traitors to their Country have threatened your life And should
you be called upon to Surrender it at the post of duty your memory
will live forever in the Heart of every Freeman.And that is a grander
monument than can be built of brick or marble ‘For if hearts
may not our memo-ries keep Oblivion haste each ver-tage sweep And
let our memoriesend.
’Yours trulyR W Miles”
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