Josiah B. Herrick to Abraham Lincoln, 6 June 18491
Vandalia June 6th, 1849Hon. A. LincolnSirI thought I would scribble a few lines to Gen Taylor which you can use or not as you think fit–2 Wishing you all success I remain–3
Most Respectfully YoursJ. B. Herrick<Page 2>
Hon. A. LincolnWashingtonD.C2Herrick’s missive to President Zachary Taylor was not enclosed in this letter, and
it has not been located.
3Herrick wished Abraham Lincoln well in the contest to see who would replace Richard M. Young as commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office. Justin H. Butterfield, James L. D. Morrison, and Cyrus Edwards were among the early contestants. Lincoln entered the competition after learning
that Butterfield was favored over Morrison and Edwards.
On June 3, Lincoln wrote Herrick asking him, if he preferred Lincoln to Butterfield, to write him to that
effect. Lincoln made the same request of other presumed supporters in early June.
Ultimately, neither Morrison, Edwards, nor Lincoln received the appointment; the job
went to Butterfield instead. See the General Land Office Affair.
Abraham Lincoln to James M. McLean; Abraham Lincoln to Robert C. Schenck; Abraham Lincoln to William A. Minshall and Robert S. Blackwell; Abraham Lincoln to Willie P. Mangum; Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward; Abraham Lincoln to Duff Green; Abraham Lincoln to David Rumsey; Abraham Lincoln to William Nelson.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).