CHAPTER V.
Lincoln in the Legislature--Eight Consecutive Years of Service--His Influence in the House--Leader of the Whig Party in Illinois--Takes a Hand in National Politics--Presidential Election in 1840--A "Log Cabin" Reminiscence--Some Memorable Political Encounters--A Tilt with Douglas--Lincoln Facing a Mob--His Physical Courage--Lincoln as a Duellist--The Affair with General Shields--An Eye-Witness' Account of the Duel--Courtship and Marriage.
In 1838 Lincoln was for a third time a candidate for the State Legislature.

Mr.Wilson, one of his colleagues from Sangamon County, states that a question of the division of the county was one of the local issues.

"Mr.Lincoln and myself," says Mr.Wilson, "among others residing in the portion of the county which sought to be organized into a new county, opposed the division; and it became necessary that I should make a special canvass through the northwest part of the county, then known as Sand Ridge.

I made the canvass.

Mr.Lincoln accompanied me, and being personally acquainted with everyone we called at nearly every house.