John A. McClernand to Abraham Lincoln, 26 May 18471
Private
Mt Vernon. Ill.May 26. 1847.My dr sr.[dear Sir]
I wish you to write to the Secretary of the Home Department, stating your wish that
he should not remove Braxton Parish from the Land Receiver's Office, at Shawneetown without first consulting you, and if it is determined on to make a removal ^change^, I wish you to suspend the change until Mr Parish's Commission expires. I make this
as a personal request, going further for Mr P. than I would for myself. I have been
induced to do so ^make the request^ because Mr P. lately left his home in Franklin Co. to hold the office; because he has incured considerable expense in relocating; in short because his removal now would ruin him pecuniarily. You may count upon me under like circumstances for a similar favor; or for a response in any way in my power. What you may write me in answer will be
held in inviolable confidence. Drop me a line directed to Shawneetown.2
Yours, &c.[etc.]J A MClernandHon A. Lincoln3<Page 2>
MOUNT VERNON Ills.MAY ^26^
Free J A MClernand M. C.[Member Congress]
Hon. A LincolnSpringfieldIllinois2Any response by Abraham Lincoln to this letter has not been located. By September
30, 1849, Braxton Parrish was no longer employed as the receiver at Shawneetown.
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), 137.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).