Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 10 March 18491

Copy.
Washington, March 10. 1849Hon: Secretary of StateDear 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– M^r 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 to you; and I solicit for his claims, a full and fair consideration– Having said this much, I add that in my individual judgment, the appointment of M^r Thomas would be the better–
Your Ob^t Serv^t[Obedient Servant]A. Lincoln

[ endorsement ]
//
Lincoln, Abraham (President)Washington, D.C.Clayton, John M.Washington, D.C.

(Endorsed on M^r Bond's papers)

Within In this and the accompanying envelope, are the recommendations of about 200 good citizens of all parts of Illinois that Benjamin Bond be appointed Marshall for that District– They include the names of nearly all our whigs who now are, or have ever been, members of the state Legislature, besides 46 of the democratic members of the present Legislature, and many other good citizens– I add that, from personal knowledge, I consider M^r Bond every way worthy of the office, and qualified to fill it– Holding the individual opinion that the appointment of a different gentleman would be better, I ask especial attention and consideration for his claims, and for the opinions expressed in his favor, by those over whom I can claim no superiority–
A. Lincoln2

1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter. This is the retained copy of a letter Lincoln sent to Secretary of State John M. Clayton on March 11.

2Lincoln wrote and signed this endorsement. This is a copy of a memorandum relating to Bond that accompanied the recommendations and papers Lincoln references in the letter. These papers and recommendations have not been located.
In March 1849, Lincoln wrote several letters soliciting government officials on Bond’s behalf, though he preferred, as noted in this letter and endorsement, 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.