Your ob't serv't,
Jas. Shields.
About sunset, General Whiteside called again, and secured from Mr. Lincoln the following answer to Mr. Shields's note:—
Tremont, September 17, 1842.
Jas. Shields, Esq.:—
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 demand an unqualified retraction of all that is offensive, and then proceed to hint at consequences.
Now, sir, there is in this so much assumption of facts, and so much of menace as to consequences, that I cannot submit to answer that note any further than I have, and to add, that the consequences to which I suppose you allude would be matter of as great regret to me as it possibly could to you.
Respectfully,
A. Lincoln.