One page, small 4to (311 x 197 mm), docketed on verso, old folds, minor corner loss, very minor soiling.

LINCOLN SIGNS HIS NAME TWICE.

In full: "Know all men by these present that we Charles R. Matheny William Butler Abner Y Ellis, A. Lincoln are held and firmly bound unto the County Commissioner of the County of Sangamon and State of Illinois for the use of any person or persons injured, or for the use of the said County if injured in the penal sum of one thousand dollars the payment of which well and truly to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs and assigns, jointly severally and firmly by these presents. Signed Sealed and dated this 18 day of June A.D. 1838. The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bounden Charles R Matheny has been duly elected Clerk of the said County Commissioners Court. Now if he the said Charles R Matheny shall faithfully perform the duties of said office as required by Law, then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and effect."

Abraham Lincoln served as an Illinois state legislator from 1834 to 1842, and perhaps his most significant accomplishment during this period was his successful lobbying, as a member of the "Long Nine," to move the Illinois state capital from Vandalia to Springfield. Shortly afterwards, Lincoln moved from New Salem to Springfield, arriving on 15 April 1837. A few months later, he joined four other citizens in signing a bond for newly elected clerk of the Sangamon County Commissioners Court, Charles R. Matheny, the purpose of which was to ensure that if Matheny (or any other elected official) committed a crime while in office or failed to properly perform their duties, they would be financially penalized. The present document was the second bond co-signed by Lincoln on Matheny's behalf; he would die in October 1839, less than six months before Springfield was officially incorporated as a city.

REFERENCES:
Thomas F. Schwartz, “Lincoln's Published Writings: A History and Supplement,” Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association 9 (1987), 37-38