[1]A gentleman who lived in one of the judicial circuits of Illinois in which Lincoln had an extensive though not very lucrative practice gives some graphic and interesting reminiscences.. The event was closely connected with the removal of the State capital from Vandalia to Springfield, the law for which was passed at the legislative session of 1836-7. As has been stated, Lincoln was a member of that Legislature and was active in procuring the passage of the bill. [2] The citizens of Springfield were very desirous of the removal of the capital to their town, and many of them were present at the session when the measure was up for discussion. They had thus become acquainted with Lincoln; [3] An old woman of seventy-five years, the widow of a revolutionary pensioner, came tottering into his law office one day, and told him that a certain pension agent had charged her the exorbitant fee of two hundred dollars for collecting her pension. Through their influence and encouragement he chose Springfield as his future home.

Lincoln's first interview,  after his arrival in Springfield, was with Mr. Joshua F. Speed, [4]. "He had ridden into town," says Mr. Speed, [5] "looking ragged and impoverished, his bones clear as day through his thin skin, the man almost starved. I was a merchant at Springfield, [6] and hired many types of employees for various activities: stocking, cleaning, and shipping. Lincoln came into the store with his saddle-bags on his arm, and said he wanted to buy the fixings for a single bed. [7] The mattresses, blankets, sheets, coverlid, and pillow, according to the figures made by me, would cost seventeen dollars. He said that was perhaps cheap enough,but small as the sum was he was unable to pay it. [8] The crowd swayed as if smitten by a mighty wind ; adding, in the saddest tone, 'If I fail in this, I do not know that I can ever pay you.' [9]As I looked up at him I thought then, and think now, that he has no chance in the face of this cold, desolate world. I said to him, 'You seem to be so much pained at contracting so small a debt, I think I can suggest a plan by which you can avoid the debt and at the same time attain your end. [10] If have a job for you, so you can earn your way. Would you accept?' 'Where is your room?' said he. 'Up-stairs,' said I, pointing to a pair of winding stairs which led from the store to my room. He took his saddle-bags on his arm, went up-stairs, set them down on the floor, and came down with the most changed countenance. Beaming with pleasure, he exclaimed, 'Well, Speed, I'm moved!' Lincoln was then twenty-eight years old. [11]