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Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 12 August 18491
Springfield, Augt 12. 1849Hon: Secretary of StateDear Sir:
When I was about leaving Washington last I told you an anecdote by way of impressing on your memory the application of Allen Francis to be Consul at Glasgow, Scotland–2 I very much wish he could be obliged– He is part editor of the oldest paper in the state; and, being a practical printer, has worked constantly, setting type for ^it^ the paper, eighteen years– He is tired, and has a right to be– His wife is a "Scotchman" and wishes to visit her father-land–3
Your Obt Servt[Obedient Servant]A. Lincoln
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FREE
SPRINGFIELD Ill.[Illinois]
AUG[August] 13Hon: Secretary of StateWashingtonD.C.[District of Columbia]
[ docketing ]
Consulate Glasgow
Allen Francis
1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter.
2In a letter to Lincoln on June 12, 1849, Allen Francis enclosed materials which may have been related to the application Lincoln references. Those enclosed materials, however, have not been located.
3Francis’ name does not appear in the official registers of the officers and agents of the government for 1849, 1853, 1855, 1857, or 1859, so apparently, he did not receive an appointment. Once he was president, however, Lincoln appointed Francis to the consulate in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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); 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); Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1855 (Washington, DC: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1855); Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1857 (Washington, DC: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1857); Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1859 (Washington, DC: William A. Harris, 1859); Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1863 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1864), 3; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1865 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1866), 4.

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.