Benjamin F. James to Abraham Lincoln, 16 April 18491
Dear Lincoln–You are indebted to me for two letters, and I give you notice that you will be prosecuted
in the court of conscience unless you satisfy in full the demands upon you, I should
like to hear from you much in relation to your doings the past winter,2 Morrison informed me that my name with others had been handed to some of the departments at
Washington for consideration, Can you say any thing as to the prospects &c[etc], and what salary the great disideratum can be obtained,–3 I would write more fully, and at length but time will not admit, My wife has been very sick for nine weeks, I am very much confined at home, and know very
little of the affairs of the world without, I wish you to enlighten me, and hope some
business or pleasure will induce you soon to visit this part of your political vineyard,
where you have reaped abundantly of those things, so necessarily dear to a politician–
You know our County Seat is removing and I wish to consult with you upon the propriety
of bringing some suits vs[versus] the County &c–4
Truly Yrs[Yours],B. F. JamesApl 16th 18492James’ letters to Abraham Lincoln have not been located. He wrote to Lincoln again on April 29 and requested a response. Just as James was preparing
to post his letter, he received a response from Lincoln, but that letter has not been
located.
3In March 1849, Lincoln wrote letters recommending James for a federal appointment
to Secretary of State John M. Clayton, Secretary of War George W. Crawford, and other cabinet members. James does not appear in the official registers of the
officers and agents of the federal 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, 1849 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1849); 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); Abraham Lincoln to Unknown; Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton; Abraham Lincoln to George W. Crawford.
4In 1849, residents of Tazewell County voted to move the county seat from Tremont to Pekin.
History of Tazewell County Illinois (Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman, 1879), 249-50.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s) ,
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).