Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Robert Moseley to Abraham Lincoln, 17 April 18491
Oakland Coles C^o Ill^s
April 17– 1849Friend Lincoln
I have made application to the department for the office of Receiver of Public Moneys at the land office at Danville Ills– Should the office become vacant and to make my election more sure I have been advised by my friends to get if posible a favorable letter of recommendation from You; which is my object in writing this letter to You, thinking that from the little acquaintence You have of with me and my business habits, that You could give me one that would be of benefit to me, and in every way acceptable to the proper department

So if You can and will furnish me with such a letter, and forward to me by the return mail, You will lay me under endless obligations, an immediatel reply to this, will much oblige2
Yours TrulyRob^t Moseley

1Robert Moseley wrote and signed this letter.

2Abraham Lincoln’s response, if he penned one, has not been located.
Moseley did not get the job as receiver; the incumbent Lunsford R. Noel retained the position until 1851. Moseley’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, 1841 (Washington, DC: Thomas Allen, 1841), 91; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, from the Thirtieth September, 1841, to the Thirtieth September, 1843 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1843), 126; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1845 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1845), 215; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1847 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1847), 31; 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).