Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Richard Yates to Abraham Lincoln, 2 May 18491
Jacksonville May 2, 1849Hon. A. LincolnDear Sir.
At the request of the friends of John P. Gordon of Lynnville, who is an applicant for the Post Office at that place I drop you a line– He has a petition as I am informed and believe signed by nearly all the citizens of Lynnville in favor of his appointment– He is well qualified for the office– a firm, staunch and honorable whig and has long resided in that place and is a son of W^m Gordon dec^d[deceased] formerly a ^whig^ member of the Legislature from this County– His business habits are in every respect good– and his appointment would undoubtedly as I am informed and believe give great satisfaction–

The present incumbent, James Gordon is a strong and bitter partizan—is always active in elections—was the uncompromizing opponent of to the election of Gen^l Taylor– and ought without a moment's hesitation to be removed.

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I hope if you should have any thing to say to the Post O. Department in relation to appointments you will present the claims of John P. Gordon. I am told that
Yours Truly in hasteRich^d Yates–P. S– I am told that the present incumbent is opposed to the appointment of John P. Gordon (though his nephew) and will try for party purposes to have some other person appointed Be this as it may I feel well satisfied that no appointment would give equal satisfaction to the Whigs as that of John P. Gordon–2

1Richard Yates wrote this letter and postscript and signed the letter.

2John P. Gordon would receive the appointment in late May and remain postmaster until 1855.
Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls, Records of the Post Office Department, RG 28, 1845-1855, 18:144, National Archives Building, Washington, DC; 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), 480*; 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), 538*; 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), *509; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1855 (Washington, DC: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1855), 338*.