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The Lincoln Memorial Shrine

A Lincoln Museum in Redlands, CA

Two hundred years after his birth, the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln continues to fascinate and inspire. Born into poverty on the edge of an untamed frontier, his rise from obscurity to greatness has become a symbol of the universal hope that we can all improve our circumstances in life.

Lincoln the Lawyer

Lincoln-Herndon Legal Document, March 1855

(Lincoln Memorial Shrine)

Abraham Lincoln was a voracious reader, teaching himself law. He was admitted the Illinois bar in 1836, and began practicing law in Springfield, Illinois. He soon became a successful attorney. In 1844, he formed a practice with another young attorney, William Herndon. Lincoln continued to practice law when not actively engaged in politics or holding elected office. Twice a year most years, until he was elected president, Lincoln traveled the judicial circuit for ten weeks, representing clients at county seats across central Illinois.

This manuscript was written by Lincoln as a member of the Lincoln and Herndon law practice. The document is from the case Lindley and Baker v, Williams. According to the suit, Lindley and Baker gave the Mechanics and Farmers Bank in Springfield, Illinois, a promissory note for $1,000. The bank assigned the note to Williams. After Lindley and Baker failed to pay, Williams sued them in an action of assumpsit to recover the debt. Lindley and Baker retained Lincoln and Herndon. The court ruled for Williams and awarded $1,013.32 in damages. Lincoln appealed the judgment to the Illinois Supreme Court, but it dismissed the appeal and ordered a writ of procedendo to the lower court.

Learn more about Lincoln’s career as a lawyer.

Lincoln and Mexico

Consul Appointment, March 1863

(Lincoln Memorial Shrine)

After arriving in Washington the Lincoln family soon formed a close relationship with 24-year-old Mexican Ambassador Matias Romero, who even escorted Mary Lincoln on her frequent shopping trips. The military and financial demands of the Civil War prevented Lincoln from giving Mexican President Benito Juarez’s government direct assistance, but he did permit them to raise funds in the United States.

When France intervened in Mexico, Lincoln refused to recognize the regime of Maximilian and instead maintained diplomatic relations with Juarez’s government. In this March 1863 document, Lincoln appoints J.H Mansfield as head of the American consulate in Tabasco, a region split between Juarez supporters and French collaborators. Upon his arrival in Tabasco, Mansfield demonstrated his support for Juarez by publicly burning a French Foreign Legion redshirt. This rather undiplomatic act raised the ire of a local warlord who imprisoned Mansfield in an overcrowded public jail for four months.

Learn more about international relations with Mexico during the Civil War.

The acquisition of these manuscripts was made possible by generous donors to the 2017 Watchorn Lincoln Dinner Sponsorship Fund.

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Mission Statement

As a museum and memorial, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine seeks to deepen the understanding of President Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War and its impacts on generations of Americans through education, interaction, exhibition, and research.

Make a Donation

If you would like to make a donation to the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, please contact Nathan Gonzales, Curator at (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org.

Volunteer

Become a Lincoln Shrine docent! Share your knowledge about Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, or American History. Contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org for more information.

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Contact Us

Research Center - (909) 798-7632

Museum - (909) 798-7636

125 West Vine Street Redlands, CA

 

Group Tours

Guided tours are available by reservation for groups of 12 or more people.Please call (909)798-7632 for additional information.

Hours of Operation

Monday Closed
Tuesday 1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Thursday 1pm - 5pm
Friday 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm
Closed major holidays

Copyright © 2023 · Lincoln Memorial Shrine, All Rights Reserved

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine is a unit of the Special Collections Division of A.K. Smiley Public Library. The Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Association, a 501 (c)3 tax deductible organization oversees the WLMA endowment.