To the Hon W. L. Marcy Sec of War
      Being desirous of joining the Army, I would most respectfully beg an appointment of
               Cadet at West Point. My age is 17 Yrs & 7 months
            
Springfield Ill. Feb 24/49.Jno Ephraim Collins
                                    Autograph Letter Signed,  1 page(s),  Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC)