Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

John M. Neale to Silas Reed, 3 June 18411
Springfield, Illinois, June 3^rd 1841Hon: Silas ReedSurveyor General &c.[etc]
My object in trou[bling you] with this is to procure a contract of the . . . Surveying. You are favourably known by m[any promin]ent citizens of this city, and, in case you [shall be] disposed to treat my application favourably, I will procure any sort of recommendation from them that you may require—
Yours with respectJohn M. NealeP. S. I have concluded to send two or three recommendations at this time, thinking it might enable you to decide on my application without further delay—J. M. N—

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[ endorsement ]
06/03/1841
May, William L.Springfield, Illinois Reed, Silas Saint Louis, Missouri
Springfield June 3. 1841
I cheerfully unite with the Hon. John T Stuart in recommending Col[Colonel] John M Neale as a gentleman entirely competent to perform the duties of Deputy Surveyor— He is in rather indigent circumstances, and has not only his own family to support, but has to supply the wants of his brother's widow and a large family of ^her^ children— He is a gentleman of estimable character and his employment as a deputy Surveyor would be highly gratifying to a numerous circle of his acquaintance
W L MayTo D^r ReedSurveyor Gen^l[General]st Louis

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[ endorsement ]
06/03/1837
Stuart, John T.Springfield, Illinois Reed, Silas
Springfield
June 3^rd 18[41].Sir
Having been shewn the accompanying letter of Col: John M. Neale I take pleasure [in?] saying that in my opinion he is . . . [?] to perform the duties re[quired] by such a Contract as he seeks an[d] to say further that I would be much gratified if you should find it consistent with your sense of Public duty to give him a Contract

Col— Neale has been for several years a Deputy Surveyor of Sangamon County and discharged its duties to the satisfaction of the Public
Your obt. Svt[obedient Servant]John T. StuartD^r Silas Reed

[ endorsement ]
Lincoln, Abraham (President)Reed, Silas

I most cheerfully endorse the foregoing recommendations of Co^l Neale—A. Lincoln

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SPRINGFIELD Il.
JUN[June] 4Hon: Silas ReedSurveyor General &c.S^t Louis.Mo.

[ docketing ]
12.

[ docketing ]
J. M. Neale
Springfield Ill.
Applies for Surveying
^3^ June 1841
Is no Surveyor— Cannot Supply him—

1Abraham Lincoln wrote the body of the text, including Neale’s signature and the postscript. Lincoln also wrote and signed his own recommendation on page three, as well as the address on page four. A portion of the original text is missing due to damage; text has been supplied where possible.