Chapter 3: He Supports Returning Freed Slaves to Africa

In 1834, at age twenty-five, Lincoln is living in New Salem, Illinois and has begun his study to become a lawyer. In that year he is also elected to serve the first of his four terms in the State Legislature.

His role model as a politician is fellow Kentuckian, Henry Clay, who in 1816 has helped found the American Colonization Society. It hopes to purchase freedom for those enslaved and send them to a West Africa settlement in Liberia.

While a lack of funding will limit the relocation to only 7,000 persons over time, Lincoln will support the idea right up to the time he is elected president.