Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel Pope, 8 June 18491

Copy.
Springfield, June 8. 1849Hon: N. Pope:Dear Sir:
I do not know that it would, but I can well enough conceive it might embarrass you to now give a letter reccommending me for the General Land Office–2 Could you not, however, without embarrassment, or any impropriety, so far vindicate the truth of history, as to briefly state to me, in a letter, what you did say to me last spring on my arrival here from Washington, in relation to my becoming an applicant for that office?3 Having at last concluded to be an applicant, I have thought it is perhaps due me; to be able enabled to show the influences which brought me to the conclusion– ^among which influences the wishes and opinions you expressed were not the least–^4
Your Ob^t Serv^t[Obedient Servant]A. Lincoln

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Hon: N. PopePresent–

1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter. He sent very similar letters to numerous people in early June 1849. Mary Lincoln also wrote and signed a similar letter on Lincoln’s behalf.
Abraham Lincoln to Josiah B. Herrick; Abraham Lincoln to Robert C. Schenck; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph R. Underwood; Abraham Lincoln to William A. Minshall and Robert S. Blackwell; Abraham Lincoln to Willie P. Mangum; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward; Abraham Lincoln to Duff Green; Abraham Lincoln to Unknown; Abraham Lincoln to David Rumsey; Abraham Lincoln to William Nelson.

2Justin H. Butterfield, James L. D. Morrison, and Cyrus Edwards were vying to become commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office. Lincoln entered the competition after learning that Butterfield was favored over Morrison and Edwards. See the General Land Office Affair.

3In February 1849, Nathaniel Pope wrote Lincoln recommending Edwards for the position of commissioner. No correspondence indicating what Pope said to Lincoln about competing for the position in the spring of 1849 has been located.

4Pope’s response to this letter has not been located. Ultimately, neither Morrison, Edwards, nor Lincoln received the appointment; the job went to Butterfield instead. See the General Land Office Affair.