John Addison to Abraham Lincoln, 20 April 18491
Department of the InteriorWashington Apl 20th 49My dear Sir,
Knowing your disposition to serve me when it does not conflict with the interest of
those who have some claims upon your influence; I have been induced once more to trespass
upon your attention and kindness. Within the last few weeks I called upon Mr Ewing with my friend Col[Colonel] Baylie Peyton & presented him with some strong documents from, Judge McLean & many others, & upon Col P's request I was immediately employed in this Department. Mr Ewing remarked to the Col, " that "Mr Addison will remain with me for the present & you may rest assured that as soon as
I can find time to look into the Genl. Land Office, I will make permanent provision for him" so far so good– It is understood there
will be many removals in the Land Office shortly, & my purpose is to contend (upon
the principle of restoration)
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for the old post as bookkeeper in the Land Office, ^at 1.300 per annum^ or its equivalent in this which I would prefer. This is but justice & as I am already
employed in the Office, I trust it will not be asking too much to request from you
a letter from to Mr Ewing (enclosed to me) to the effect that in the event of any removals or appointments
in the Land Office that he will restore me to the post from which I was removed by
Mr Tyler.2This is the last time I ever expect to trouble you
Truly Yr[Your] friendJno AddisonI am informed that the prospects of our friend Lucas are good for obtaining a fair salary after a whilePlease let me hear from you at your earliest convenience3
2The General Land Office had employed Addison as a clerk from 1837 until his removal
sometime between September 1841 and September 1843.
The Biennial Register of all Officers and Agents in the Service of the United States (Washington, DC: Blair & Rives, 1838), 23; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of
the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1839 (Washington, DC: A. B. Claxton, 1839), 21; 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), 21; 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), 28.
3Commissioner of the General Land Office, Richard M. Young, had appointed Josiah M. Lucas as a temporary clerk in the Land Office in March
1849, but Lucas was worried about his tenure with rumors swirling that Young was to
be replaced. Lucas held onto his job through the spring, and he sent Abraham Lincoln a steady stream of letters informing Lincoln on the contest for commissioner and
on appointments to land offices throughout Illinois. Lucas’ name does not appear
in the official register of the officers and agents of the government employed as
of September 30, 1849, so he must have lost his position. His name also does not
appear in the official registers for 1851 and 1853, so apparently he did not receive
another federal appointment while the Whigs held power.
Lincoln sent Addison the desired letter of recommendation on the second half of a
letter written on July 22, 1849. This letter of recommendation has not been located; Addison
presumably tore off the letter of recommendation and used it to advance his efforts
in securing a job.
Addison does not appear in the official register of the officers and agents of the
federal government for the year ending September 30, 1849, but there is evidence that
he worked as a clerk at the Department of the Interior from May to November 1849.
Abraham Lincoln to George W. Crawford; Josiah M. Lucas to Abraham Lincoln; Josiah M. Lucas to Abraham Lincoln; Josiah M. Lucas to Abraham Lincoln; Josiah M. Lucas to Abraham Lincoln; Josiah M. Lucas to Abraham Lincoln; Josiah M. Lucas 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); H.R. Ex. Doc. No. 79, 31st Cong., 1st Sess. (1850);
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).
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).