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Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 26 March 18491
St Louis, Mo.
March 26. 1849Hon. J. M. ClaytonSecretary of StateDear Sir:
I take great pleasure in introducing to your acquaintance my good personal and political friend Benjamin Bond Esq–[Esquire] He is an applicant for the office of Marshall for Illinois; and previous to leaving Washington, I filed his recommendations, with my indorsement upon them to which I refer you– What I there say in his favor, I take great pleasure in repeating–
Your obt Servt[obedient Servant]A. Lincoln–2
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Hon: J. M. ClaytonSecretary of StateWashingtonD.C.
[ docketing ]
No 12
[ docketing ]
XX/XX/1849
Marshal Illinois,
1849,
Bond Benjamin, Recommended by Hon. A. Lincoln of St. Louis, Missouri,
1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter, including the address on the last sheet, which was folded to make an envelope.
Lincoln penned this letter while en route to Springfield, Illinois, having left Washington, DC, on March 20. He would make his way home via St. Louis by railroad, steamer, and stagecoach, arriving in Springfield on March 31.
The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln, 20 March 1849, http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarDay&day=1849-03-20; The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln, 31 March 1849, http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarDay&day=1849-03-31.
2In March 1849, Lincoln wrote several letters soliciting government officials on Benjamin Bond’s behalf, though he preferred that the appointment go to Charles G. Thomas. Bond received the appointment as U.S. marshal 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, 2 page(s), RG 59, Entry 760: Appointment Records, Applications and Recommendations for Office, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, 1797-1901, NACP.