Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

John A. Jones to Abraham Lincoln, 17 April 18491
Bloomington April 17, 49Dear Lincoln,
I received your favor of the 13th just as I was in the eve of starting for this place and placed your letter in the hands of others to answer, after conferring together.2

I suppose, however, if the views of the majority and the convenience of the Town are to be consulted, there can be no hesitation in the propriety of recommending Alanson Stockwell to the DepartmentHe has purchased the Stock of goods of his predecessor (who has resigned) and rented the same house erected expressly for the P. O.[Post Office] and account of its centrality, and is now preforming the duties of the Office, as Deputy, the principal having started for California, Two Petitions were forwarded to the Department, one in favor of David Roberts, understood to contain 50 signatures, and another subscribed by nearly 150 names recommending Alanson Stockwell, among which are those of many of the best whigs in this region, and forwarded by me to Joseph H. Bradley Esqr[Esquire] of Washington City to be delivered to the Department3
Very truly,
YoursJ. A. JonesP. S. I would have written yesterday, but the pleasure of your attendance here was expected, by several of the Bar–4

1John A. Jones wrote and signed this letter and wrote the postscript.

2Abraham Lincoln’s letter has not been located.

3Dr. Alanson Stockwell and David Roberts were candidates for the office of postmaster in Tremont, Illinois. Lincoln preferred David Roberts and recommended him for the position. Roberts received the appointment in May 1849 and held the job until 1860.
Fitz Henry Warren to Abraham Lincoln; Benjamin F. James to Abraham Lincoln; 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), *489; 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), 550*; 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), *520; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1855 (Washington, DC: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1855), 346*; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1857 (Washington, DC: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1857), 346*; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1859 (Washington, DC: William A. Harris, 1859), 74*; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1861 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1862), 376*.

4Jones expected Lincoln in Bloomington because the McLean County Circuit Court convened on April 16.
The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of the Life of Abraham Lincoln, 16 April 1849, http://www.thelincolnlog.org/Results.aspx?type=CalendarDay&day=1849-04-16.