Oaks Turner and George Dent to Abraham Lincoln, 24 February 18491
SirThe undersigned residents of Putnam county take this method of informing you of ^their^ interest in the success of Mr Stephen smith who is applying for the office of Register in the L. O. at Dixon. We have been acquainted ^this^ with ^ that Gentleman^ through the medium of official transactions and otherwise for some years back, and
the result of that Knowledge of him leads his us to the conclusion that he will make a faithful and efficient servant of the people.
Bespeaking for him your best services should they not be promised to another and falling with [...?] but not attempting wishing to seem as dictating to you your course in the matter.2
We remain Yours very Respty[Respectfully]George DentOaks TurnerHon Abr Lincoln1The author of the body of the letter is unknown. George Dent and Oaks Turner signed
their names, respectively.
2Stephen Smith did not receive the appointment. Silas Noble was register at Dixon from 1849 to 1853.
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), 135; 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), 140; 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), 138.
Handwritten Letter Signed, 1 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).