Marshalling his resources for campaign, Lincoln writes Henry E. Dummer of Beardstown about his fee in Sprague v. Illinois River RR et al.. "I am now in need of money. Suppose we say the amount shall be $50—? . . . Please get the money and send it to me. And while you have pen in hand, tell me what you may know about politics, down your way." He writes to John Mathers, Jacksonville Republican, agreeing that offensive tactics against Douglas are superior to defensive. Abraham Lincoln to Henry E. Dummer, 20 July 1858, CW, 2:521; Abraham Lincoln to John Mathers, 20 July 1858, CW, 2:522.