Josiah B. Herrick to Abraham Lincoln, 20 April 18491
Vandalia April 20th 1849Hon, A, LincolnDear SirI contemplate making application for the office of Receiver of Public monies at the
Land Office in this place– If I come as well recommended—by the whigs of this Land District, and other portions of the State, as the applicants already before you—can I expect your influence in my behalf? I
have mad[e] no effort as yet, and shall not until I get your reply– I am confident, even at this
late date, that my recommendations will be as respectable as those who have been in
advance of me, and my claims under present circumstances, I think better.
I believe that a large proportion of the power of directing the appointment lies with
you– and I shall have all confidence in your advice upon the subject, so please be
explicit with me–2
Yours– Most respectfully–J. B. Herrick
2Lincoln’s response, if he penned one, has not been located.
James T. B. Stapp and Frederick Remann were also vying for the office of receiver. Stapp would receive the appointment
and hold the position until at least 1851.
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; Illinois Journal (Springfield), 11 July 1849, 1:6; Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 4 September 1850, 2:4.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).