Abraham Lincoln to Sylvester Emmons, 9 February 18501
Springfield, Feb. 9. 1850S. Emmons, Esq[Esquire]Dear Sir:Yours of the 2nd was not received till yesterday–2 I shall be entirely satisfied for you to receive the appointment you desire; still
I know, by conversations with the Marshal, that he will look to the wishes of the people of your county, rather than to mine, as to who shall have the appointment–3 Therefore as your friend, I advise you to get the recommendation of some of your
prominent whigs— Dummer, Dick Thomas— Arenz; and such men, and I will most cheerfully present them to the Marshall when he shall be here–4
Very truly Your friend–A. Lincoln<Page 2>
SPRINGFIELD Ill.[Illinois]FEB[February] [?]
5
S. Emmons, EsqBeardstownIllinois–1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter, including the address on the last sheet
used to create an envelope.
3Since no other correspondence between Emmons and Lincoln on this topic has been located,
some of the context for this letter is missing. However, Emmons most likely requested
a letter of reference from Lincoln for appointment as a deputy U.S. marshal for the
state of Illinois.
4Emmons’ reply, if he wrote one, has not been located. Emmons is listed in the 1849
and 1851 official register of the officers and agents of the government as a postmaster
for Beardstown, Illinois, so apparently he received this appointment instead of an
appointment as a deputy U.S. marshal for Illinois.
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), *467; 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), *523.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s). Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).