John H. Morrison to Abraham Lincoln, 13 March 18491
Washington 13th, March '49Dear Sir,When I hear you Speak of home, of that One, upon whom you have centered your affections; of your Dear little Bob,– I can realize all that a devoted husband—a kind & affectionate parent feels upon the prospect of embracing those whom he loves, Of being able to meet them
and say "That I have toiled and labored to make you Comfortable;– I have borne the pang of a long separation, that the interests of my
dear family might be promoted & now I return to you crowned with that success I had
anticipated I say when I look at this picture and then revert to another– Where the
Husband & parent is winding his way to his own Home– which is dear to him. Where he is to meet at the thresold those who look to him for support & who expect that he is amply able to protect & support them, and when
his own mind says—"away with your Smiles—your carresses—you advance to meet a Bankrupt—One who has neither influence wealth nor power to shield & protect you. One who has Scarcely the power to protect himself– This last person should share
our sympathies if the first constrains us to render him our Congratulations– For my
own part I would cheerfully give all I possess, if some philanthofisphist would be so charatable as to expend a dimes worth of powder & lead in blowing my brains out
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But Mr Lincoln I am none of those who wish to Complain– I am now old enough to know that each person
has enough to do to take care of himself, That patronage is bestowed ^upon those^ who are supposed to be able to repay with usury,
Had my claims been pressed, I know I might have obtained Something, As the matter now stands I consider it mockery to present my name with Others, for places which will not be noticed or regarded when you leave the City– Accept my thanks for the interest you have manifested in my favor, and have my name
withdrawn as an applicant for any Government patronage– It appears that neither you nor Mr Baker consider me as one of your Constituents, Consequently I can have the pleasing consolation ^left,^ that my friends have not over looked me.2
Yours &c[etc]J H MorrisonHon. A. Lincoln2On March 11, 1849, Abraham Lincoln wrote letters to Secretary of War George W. Crawford, Secretary of State John M. Clayton, and others on Morrison’s behalf. Morrison apparently traveled to Washington, DC,
to press his claim, before requesting his name be withdrawn from further consideration.
In June 1849, however, Morrison wrote again asking Lincoln for help in getting the surveyor generalship of California or, failing that, a clerk position in Washington. Morrison’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.
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); 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); 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); Abraham Lincoln to George W. Crawford; Abraham Lincoln to Unknown; Stephen T. Logan to Abraham Lincoln; Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton; John H. Morrison to Abraham Lincoln.
Autograph Letter Signed,
2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).