William Duer to Abraham Lincoln, 15 June 18491
Chicago June 15 1849My dear Sir,I had heard that you are a candidate for the office of Land-Commnr[Commissioner]–2 If so is there any way sir which I can serve you? I neither have nor seek influence
with "the power that be"– believing the commodity rather troublesome than useful–
yet for your sake I should be willing to have a little– knowing your appointment
would give me great pleasure 1st– because I know you would make an excellent public officer & 2nd on account of the personal feelings of kindness & esteem with which in common
with all the Whigs of the 30th Congress I regard you3
I am very truly &c[etc]William Duer2Justin 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. See the General Land Office Affair.
3Lincoln’s reply to this letter, if he wrote one, has not been located. However, Duer
wrote Lincoln another letter on June 15, 1849. Ultimately, neither Morrison, Edwards, nor
Lincoln received the appointment; the job went to Butterfield instead. See the General Land Office Affair.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s),
Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).