Abraham Lincoln to Jonathan K. Cooper, 10 May 18581
Springfield, May 10. 1858.Jona K. Cooper, Esq.[Esquire]My dear SirYours of the 7th on behalf of Geo. Phelps, Esq, for Prossecuting Atty–[Attorney] is received– I have previously had similar letters on behalf of two others for
the same place–2 As I do not personally know Mr Phelps, the best I can do for him, is to lay your letter before the Governor, with an indorsement of you, as a good and true man, which I shall most cheerfully do.3
Yours as everA. Lincoln2The letters Lincoln references have not been located. Lincoln is discussing the position
of state's attorney of Illinois' Fifth Judicial Circuit.
3Lincoln endorsed Jonathan K. Cooper’s May 7 letter as described above. Cooper had sought Lincoln’s aid in recommending George Phelps
to Governor William A. Bissell for appointment as state's attorney of the Fifth Judicial
Circuit—a position recently vacated by John S. Bailey, who resigned. Ultimately, Governor Bissell appointed Louis H. Waters to serve out the remainder of Bailey’s term as state’s attorney. Waters held the
position until 1860.
S. J. Clarke, History of McDonough County Illinois (Springfield, IL: D. W. Lusk, 1878), 304, 306.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).