Abraham Lincoln to Zachary Taylor, 25 January 18501
Springfield, Ills. Jany 25– 1850–His ExcellencyThe President of the U.S.Dear Sir:In a letter to you of this date I have strongly recommended Hon Stephen T. Logan for U.S. Judge of the District Court for Illinois–2 Understanding that a portion of our good whig friends are recommending Hon: Samuel D. Lockwood for the same office,3 I mean not to abate in the least my recommendation of Judge Logan, when I say that
Judge Lockwood too is most worthy of such an appointment. His moral worth, and legal
ability are above all question– For about twentyfive years he was a judge of our Supreme Court; and his opinions, extending through nearly all our books of Reports, are a sufficient
guaranty of his capacity, to all who may not personally know him– His appointment,
I think, would give very general satisfaction–4
Your Obt Servt[Obedient Servant]A. Lincoln.<Page 2>
2Lincoln’s January 25, 1850 letter to President Zachary Taylor, recommending Stephen
T. Logan for a judgeship with the U.S. Circuit Court, District of Illinois, has not
been located.
Since 1819, Nathaniel Pope had been judge of the U.S. Circuit Court, District of Illinois. His death on January
22, 1850 created a vacancy which Taylor had to fill.
Robert M. Sutton, "Pope, Nathaniel," American National Biography, ed. by John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes
(New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), 17:678.
3No other correspondence to or from Lincoln on the topic of Whigs recommending Samuel
D. Lockwood for judge of the U.S. Circuit Court, District of Illinois has been located.
4Neither Logan nor Lockwood received the appointment. President Taylor awarded the
U.S. Circuit Court, District of Illinois judgeship to Thomas Drummond instead.
Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 7 February 1850, 2:1.
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.