George W. Powers and Others to Abraham Lincoln and Edward D. Baker, 3 May 18491
Decatur Ills May 3 '49Messrs[Messieurs] Baker & LincolnGen[Gentlemen]lThere are hosts of Whigs, good & true, & worthy to fill the various offices which are about to be prayed for
their reception. We rejoice at the thought. Whiggery is made up of such men. But there
are not as many offices to be filled, as there are good men to fill them– else why
should we, your humble servants to command, remain unprovided for? & why should Doct. Stapp & Col Reaman of Fayette one or both of them be doomed to disappointment? They both desire the Receiver's
Office at Vandalia. They are both good & worthy men. It were but a pleasure to confer office upon either.
But, one of them only can have the office they seek. We are called upon to choose between the two.
Without giving the reasons—& which with us are controlling—we would merely (this is
all that is requisite) express our preference for the Col[Colonel]– our strong preference.
Respectfully
| Wm. T. Stamper | Geo. W. Powers |
| G. A. Smith | I. C. Pugh |
| E. J. Rice | |
| P. Butler | |
| Joseph King | |
| Natn P. West |
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[ docketing
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June 11.49[1849] E.
Frederick Remann of Fayette, Illinois
For– Receiver Land office at Vandalia Illinois–
1849
Frederick Remann of Fayette, Illinois
For– Receiver Land office at Vandalia Illinois–
1849
[ docketing
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Letter from Hon A Lincoln with a petition signed by Geo[George] W. Powers & 7 others–
(See Mr Lincolns letter
(See Mr Lincolns letter
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[ endorsement
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06/03/1849Springfield, Ills– June 3– 1849Hon: Secretary of the Interior.Dear Sir:
06/03/1849Springfield, Ills– June 3– 1849Hon: Secretary of the Interior.Dear Sir:
Vandalia, the Receivers office at which place is the subject of the within, is not
in my District; and I have been much perplexed to express any preference between Dr Stapp & Mr Remann– If any one man is better qualified for such an office than all others, Dr Stapp is that man; still I believe a large majority of the whigs of the District
prefer Mr Remann, who also is a good man– Perhaps the papers on file, will enable you to judge
better than I can–
Your ObtThe writers of the within are good men, residing within the Land District–
Your Obt Servt[Obedient Servant]A. Lincoln21George W. Powers wrote the text of this letter and signed his name. The other signatories
signed their own names.
2Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this endorsement.
Josiah B. Herrick was also vying for the office. James T. B. Stapp would receive the appointment and
hold the position until at least 1851.
Josiah B. Herrick 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), 137; 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), 141; Illinois Journal (Springfield), 11 July 1849, 1:6; Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 4 September 1850, 2:4.
Autograph Letter Signed, 4 page(s), Box 3, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).