Abraham Lincoln to Josiah B. Herrick, 19 January 18491
Washington, Jan: 19. 1849Dear Doctor:Your letter from Chicago, recommending Wm M. Black,2 for Register of the Land office at Vandalia, is received–3 Two others, both good men, have applied for the same office before–4 I have made no pledge; but if the matter falls into my hands, I shall, when the
time comes, try to do right, in view of all the [lights?] then before me– I do not feel authorized to advise any one of the applicants what
course to pursue–5
Yours trulyA. Lincoln<Page 2>
[Envelope]
Free. A. Lincoln M C[Member of Congress]FREE
WASH[INGTON] D[.C][District of Columbia].
JAN[January] 19 Dr J. B. HerrickVandaliaIlls[Illinois]
WASH[INGTON] D[.C][District of Columbia].
JAN[January] 19 Dr J. B. HerrickVandaliaIlls[Illinois]
1Abraham Lincoln wrote this letter in its entirety, including the address and frank
on the envelope.
5Black did not get the appointment; James M. Davis received the job, serving as register
from July 1849 until 1853.
Davis himself wrote Lincoln several letters regarding his application, urging Lincoln
to respond whether he had received the application materials and whether they had
been forwarded to the proper department. In a letter from Davis dated April 9, 1849,
Lincoln endorsed it by writing “Ansd before written.” Lincoln’s answer, however, has not been found. Lincoln did not
respond to the other letters.
James M. Davis to Abraham Lincoln; James M. Davis to Abraham Lincoln; James M. Davis to Abraham Lincoln; James M. Davis to Abraham Lincoln; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of
the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1849 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1849), 135; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of
the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1851 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1851), 140; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the
United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1853 (Washington, DC: Robert Armstrong, 1853), 138; Illinois Journal (Weekly) (Springfield), 18 July 1849, 4:3.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).