Anson G. Henry to Abraham Lincoln, 12 June 18491
Springfield June 12th 1849Dear LincolnWilliams & Bushnell arived last night– They both promised to write you, & will I presume, for they both agree with me that Butterfields appointment would be a great outrage upon the working men of the party–2
Yours TrulyA. G. Henry2Justin H. Butterfield, James L. D. Morrison, and Cyrus Edwards were vying to become commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office. Abraham Lincoln entered the competition after learning that Butterfield was favored
over Morrison and Edwards. Lincoln summarized his objections to Butterfield’s appointment
as commissioner in a May 16, 1849 letter to William B. Preston.
In early June 1849, Lincoln sent a series of letters to numerous people requesting
letters in support of his candidacy. Although no such letter from Lincoln to Henry
has been located, it is likely Lincoln made a similar request of him. Henry wrote
Lincoln several other letters on this topic. Ultimately, neither Morrison, Edwards,
nor Lincoln received the appointment; the job went to Butterfield instead. See the
General Land Office Affair.
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; Anson G. Henry and Others to Abraham Lincoln; Anson G. Henry to Abraham Lincoln; Anson G. Henry to Abraham Lincoln; Anson G. Henry to Abraham Lincoln; Anson G. Henry to Abraham Lincoln.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).