Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 11 March 18491
Washington, March 11. 1489Hon: Secretary of State:Sir:There are several applicants for the office of U.S. Marshall for the District of Illinois, among the most prominent of whom are Benjamin Bond Esq[Esquire], of Carlyle, and Thomas Esq, of Galena– Mr Bond I know to be personally every way worthy of the office; and he is very numerously,
and most respectably recommended– His papers I send you; and I solicit for his claims
a full and fair consideration–2 Having said this much, I add that in my individual judgment the appointment of Mr Thomas would be better–
Your Obt Servt[obedient Servant]A. Lincoln31Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter. On March 10, Lincoln copied this letter and retained it in his correspondence.
3In March 1849, Lincoln wrote several letters soliciting government officials on Bond’s
behalf, though he preferred, as noted in this letter, that the appointment go to Charles
G. Thomas. Bond received the appointment and held the job until 1853.
Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton; Memorandum concerning Benjamin Bond; Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton; Abraham Lincoln to John M. Johnson; 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), 247; 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), 267; 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), 259.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).