Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Buckner S. Morris to Abraham Lincoln, 12 April 18491
Chicago April 12, 1849Hon. A. LincolnDear Sir
(in confidence)

At the request of M^r Wright– I write you this—stating that he has ^on the other side of this sheet^ correctly stated to you, the feelings & wishes of the Whig friends here so far as I know them in relation to the applicants for the Post Office– In relation to preferences for that office among the Whigs here, there is of course some for one & some for another of the three—towit—Dole– Boone & Wright but certainly it is, that any other appointment will greatly displease (in my opinion) a larger most respectable & influential portion of the Whigs of this city—for one I certainly shall think it will result in much injury to the Whigs & the Whig cause here, if one of these men above named are not appointed–

If we are to judge from the habits of our friend Wilson and from the habits & conduct of certain men hereabouts who are to be in his employ as it is said as clerks thereof, I should not be surprised of complaints made against the appointment thereof—but I may be mistaken in my view of the matter—and it may turn out that the more a ^man^ may disapates &c[etc] the better his chances are for office & favour—but with me it is not so–
Yours trulyB. S. Morris 2

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Hon. A, LincolnSpringfieldIlls.[Illinois]

1Buckner S. Morris wrote and signed this letter, including the address on the second sheet, which was folded to create an envelope.

2John S. Wright and the others were vying for appointment as postmaster of Chicago. On the same day that Morris wrote Abraham Lincoln, Wright wrote Lincoln requesting his help in getting the position. Wright would not get the appointment; President Zachary Taylor appointed Richard L. Wilson postmaster on April 23. Wilson would hold the post until September 1850, when George W. Dole replaced him. Dole held the job until March 1853.
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), 470*; 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.