Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

George W. Stipp to Abraham Lincoln, 11 June 18491
Bloomington 11 June 1849Hon. A LincolnDear Sir,
Inclosed you will find a letter to the President of the United States, signed by many of your numerous friends of the place.2 Any number could have been procured, but enough thought to be attached to it. We all are anxious for your success, and hope to hear of your appointment soon.3 Judge Davis informed me had written in your favor while on the circuit, therefore did not sign this letter–

Genl. Gridley & myself joined in a letter to the Hon. Thomas Ewing, Secty.[Secretary] of the Home Department, which we hope will do you at least no harm. "Push" is the motto that rarely fails, where worth and merit are the livers, which we think you have.

May success attend you4
Yours Most RespectfulyGeo. W. Stipp

<Page 2>
Honl.[Honorable] A Lincoln

1George W. Stipp wrote and signed this letter.

2The enclosed paper that Stipp references was not found with this letter, and has not been located.

3Stipp references Abraham Lincoln’s campaign to succeed Richard M. Young as commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office. Originally, Justin H. Butterfield, James L. D. Morrison, and Cyrus Edwards were among the candidates to succeed Young. Lincoln entered the competition after learning that Butterfield was favored over Morrison and Edwards. See the General Land Office Affair. In early June 1849, Lincoln sent a series of letters to numerous people requesting letters in support of his candidacy. Presumably, Lincoln made a similar request of Stipp, although no such letter has been located. The U.S. General Land Office was within the Department of the Interior, so Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ewing had authority over the appointment, but the final decision was in the hands of President Zachary Taylor, therefore some of Lincoln’s supporters addressed their letters of reference directly to Taylor.
Abraham Lincoln to Josiah B. Herrick; Abraham Lincoln to James M. McLean; Abraham Lincoln to Robert C. Schenck; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph R. Underwood; 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 Unknown; Abraham Lincoln to David Rumsey; Abraham Lincoln to William Nelson; Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel Pope.

4Ultimately, neither Morrison, Edwards, nor Lincoln received the appointment; the job went to Butterfield instead. See the General Land Office Affair.