"When we see a lot of framed timbers, different portions of which we know have been gotten out at different times and places by different workmen, and when we see these timbers joined together and see that they exactly make the frame of a house or a mill, all the lengths and porportions of the different pieces exactly adapted to their respective pieces, and not a piece too many or too few, not omitting even scaffolding, or if a single piece be lacking, we can see the place in the frame exactly fitted and prepared to yet bring such piece in; in such case, we find it impossible to not believe that they all understood one another from the beginning, and all worked upon a common plan or draft drawn up before the first lick was struck."
Thanks - I'd be honored to contribute to your book, even if in so small a manner. Old Abe really deserves the honor for being able to discern the point and articulate it so well. BTW, I have a slightly fuller version of that quote, with an attribution as to the context, on my home computer. I will send it to you in the next day or two via Freepmail.