“My Dear Brother:—Your postal card received. I have just received the accompanying paper, which, though somewhat singular in form in some of its parts, will be plain to you in its essential facts. You have received my other two letters, which in connection with this certificate will, I trust, set the whole matter to which they relate in a satisfactory light.
“Fraternally,
“John R. Eads.”
Here follows the certificate:
“Clerk’s Office, Washington County Court,
“W. F. Booker, Clerk.
“Springfield, Kentucky, April 24, 1882.
“The Rev. John R. Eads.
“Dear Sir:—Yours in regard to the marriage certificate of Thomas Lincoln to Nancy Hanks reached here during my absence in Louisville. I now send you a copy of the same:
“I do hereby certify that the following is a true list of the marriage solemnized by me between Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, September 23, 1806.