Jesse K. Dubois to Abraham Lincoln, 2 April 18491
Lawrenceville April 2d 1849Dear LincolnI have nothing to say to you at present as Regards my appointment as Receiver at Palestine supposing that you have done all for the best, But I have something to say as Regards
the Registers Office at Palestine2 I take it for granted that Doct Alexander will be removed and ought to not be reappointed and he had not ought to be, his time will expire on the 9th of May, and if you have not made a selection of his successor I should be much gratified
if you would recommend to the proper Department E. Z. Ryan as his successor. You know same and you know him to be well qualified and capable
and would give universal satisfaction wherever he is known, Ryan has been held back
by other men pressing their claims that he does not like to come in contact with but
I see no reason why you [or?] I should not press his claims, If the Office is not already filled I wish you would
have it filled with Ryans' name
Very RespectfullyYour FriendJ. K. Dubois3
2Dubois had apparently lobbied Abraham Lincoln to recommend him for the position of
receiver at the U.S. General Land Office at Palestine, Illinois. President Zachary Taylor appointed Dubois as receiver, a position he held until 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), 137; 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), 141; 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), 139.
3James M. McLean was the other candidate for register. In June, Dubois wrote Lincoln again to endorse Ebenezer Z. Ryan for the job, stating that he would rather
see Harmon Alexander retained than McLean receive the appointment. Ryan himself wrote Lincoln in June asking for Lincoln’s help in his application. McLean would receive
the appointment and hold the position until 1853.
Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of
the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1849, 135; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of
the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1851, 140; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the
United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1853, 138.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).