Congressman Lincoln writes to his law partner William Herndon and critiques Lincoln, the public speaker: "As to speech-making, by way of getting the hang of the House I made a little speech two or three days ago on a post-office question of no general interest. I find speaking here and elsewhere about the same thing. I was about as badly scared, and no worse, as I am when I speak in court. I expect to make one within a week or two, in which I hope to succeed well enough to wish you to see it." As for his future political career Lincoln writes, "It is very pleasant to learn . . . that there are some who desire that I should be reelected. . . I made the declaration that I would not be a candidate again, more from a wish to deal fairly with others, to keep peace among our friends, and to keep the district from going to the enemy, than for any cause personal to myself; so that, if it should so happen that nobody else wishes to be elected, I could not refuse the people the right of sending me again."Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 8 January 1848, CW, 1:430-31.