In letter to Elihu B. Washburne, Congressman-elect from Galena district, Lincoln writes: "As to my own matter, things continue to look reasonably well. . . . I have not ventured to write all the members in your district, lest some of them should be offended by the indelicacy of the thing—that is, coming from a total stranger. Could you not drop some of them a line?" He writes to Herbert W. Fay, former representative from DeKalb County: "When you were in the legislature . . . either in jest or earnest you suggested me for Senator. My friends are now asking me to make the race. See the representatives and senator of your district and let me know what indorsement I may expect in that locality." Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 11 December 1854, CW, 2:292-93; Abraham Lincoln to Herbert W. Fay, 11 December 1854, CW, 2:292.