Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

George W. Dole to Abraham Lincoln, 11 April 18491
Chicago April 11, 1849 Hon A LincolnDear Sir
Your Letter of the 5 ins^t is rec^d[received],2 I am sorry if you think that I was offended with you, as such is not the case, as I view these matters any Gentleman has the right to reccommend who they please, The reason that I wrote you for the letters was because I did not understand the manner of disposing of them at Washington, & did not know of the custom of fileing them at the department, There has nothing been told that could have offended me against ^you^ but on the contrary I am under many obligations to your act of kindness to me
Respectfully your
Obdt Servt[Obedient Servant]Geo. W. Dole 3

1George W. Dole wrote and signed this letter.

2Abraham Lincoln’s letter has not been located.

3Dole was seeking appointment as postmaster of Chicago. In March 1848, Dole had written Lincoln asking him to endorse letters supporting his application to be sent to Postmaster General Cave Johnson. By April 1849, Dole was one of four candidates for the post. Dole would receive the appointment in September 1850, holding the position to March 1853.
John S. Wright to Abraham Lincoln; Buckner Stith Morris to Abraham Lincoln; 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), *527; 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), *499; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls, Records of the Post Office Department, RG 28, 1845-1855, 18:34, National Archives Building, Washington, DC.