Abraham Lincoln to Thomas S. Jesup, 8 December 18481
Sir:
A private in company F. in the first regiment of the Illinois Volunteers, Commanded by Col. Hardin, by the name of Joseph Ball, was detailed with several other soldiers at San Antonio in Texas ^in 1846^ to build some boats and they were to be paid for their services at the rate of two dollars per day, by the direction of Genl. Wool. Owing, however, to the want of funds, or some other cause, the men were not paid. My object is to ascertain if there is any thing in the Quarter Master Dept. to authorize the payment of what may be due to the said Joseph Ball for the said service, and if not to enquire what steps he is to take in order to obtain the amount due.
Yours, Respectfully,A. LincolnGenl. Jessup

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√ 125
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12/08/1848
Hon: A. Lincoln
House of Repres
Decr[December] 8th: 1848.
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Inquires as to pay due Jos:[Joseph] Ball, private 1st: Regt Ills:[Regiment Illinois] Volunteers, detailed by order of Genl[General] Wool to build boats at San Antonio in 1846.
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12/16/1848
(Engr Dept
Rec Dec[Received December] 16
Q. 23)
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12/11/1848
Book 30. B. 149.
Recd[Received] Decr 11. 1848.–
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[L?]
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12/15/1848
As it is believed that the Engineer Department had boats built at San Antonio Texas at the time stated in the within letter, it is respectfully referred to that Office
By order
Chs Thomas.
Maj.[Major] Q. M. S.
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12/21/1848
Respectfully referred for report to Capt[Captain] W. D. Fraser Engrs.–
J G Totten Br Brig Genl[Brevet Brigadier General] & Chf Eng[Chief Engineer]
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See F 687 & F. 689
1The body of this letter is not in Abraham Lincoln’s hand; Lincoln only signed his name.

Handwritten Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Vault, RG 92, Entry Unknown: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, NAB.