Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln to Zachary Taylor, 14 September 18491
Springfield, Illinois, Sep^t 14, 1849His ExcellencyThe President of the U.S.Dear Sir:
The inclosed letter, so warmly recommending D^r Brown, and Gen: Leonard White through me to the favor of the Administration, is written by Judge Wilson, who for a quarter of a century held the position, and, with great ability, discharged the duties, of Chief Justice of the Supreme court of our state–2 He has ever been our true friend politically– I mention who the writer is, that I may with a better grace, solicit for the letter, an attentive perusal, and consideration–

D^r Brown I do not personally know; but to be backed by Judge Wilson, E. B. Webb, and W. H. Davidson, is enough–3

Gen: White I do know– He is one of the pioneers of our state– He was a member of the Convention which framed our first constitution in 1818–4 As a worthy man too much can not be said for him– He also has good business qualifications, excepting he now writes with a trembling hand–
Your Ob^t Serv^t[Obedient Servant]A. Lincoln

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FREE
SPRINGFIELD Ill.[Illinois]
SEP[September] 5His ExcellencyThe President of the U.S.WashingtonD.C.

[ docketing ]
D^rJ. B.Brown
Ill^s[Illinois]
Surgeon.

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09/25/1849
Sept 25/49
Surgⁿ Genl.[Surgeon General]

1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter, including the address on the last sheet, which was folded to create an envelope.

2Lincoln enclosed an August 22, 1849 letter from William Wilson.

3No correspondence between Lincoln and Edwin B. Webb or Lincoln and William H. Davidson regarding Dr. Joseph B. Brown has been located.
Brown is listed in the official registers of the officers and agents of the government for the years 1849 through the Civil War and beyond as a surgeon for the U.S. Army.
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), 160; 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), 173; 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), 169; 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), 106; 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), 110; 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), 111; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1861 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1862), 116; 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), 149; Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of Officers and Employés in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service on the First of July, 1883 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1883), 1:409.

4Leonard White served as Gallatin County’s delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1818, which was held to create a state constitution after U.S. Congress approved statehood for Illinois.
White’s name does not appear in the official registers of the officers and agents of the government for 1849, 1851, and 1853, so apparently he did not receive an appointment.
Richard V. Carpenter and J. W. Kitchell, “The Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1818,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 6 (October 1913), 327-28; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1849; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1851; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1853.