Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Edward O. Smith to Abraham Lincoln, 16 June 18491
Urbana I^ll June 16 1849Dear Lincoln
I rec^d[received] your letter to day2 I am engaged at this place in building A Court House and did not get your letter as soon as I should I rec^d it by p private conveyance, I am anxious that you should recieve the appointment alluded too but hardly know in what manner to serve you I have given you A letter for to Gen. Taylor you can use it if proper, and if you think proper I authorise you to write such A one as will best serve your purpose and sign my name3
With Respect yours &c[etc]E O Smith

<Page 2>

Urbana Ill[Illinois]
June 16,

f[free]
Hon, Abram LincolnM. C.[Member of Congress]Washington D^C

1Edward O. Smith wrote and signed this letter.

2Abraham Lincoln's letter to Smith has not been located. In early June 1849, Lincoln sent a series of letters to numerous people requesting letters in support of his candidacy for commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office. Presumably, he made a similar request of Smith.
Originally, only Justin H. Butterfield, James L. D. Morrison, and Cyrus Edwards were vying to become commissioner. Lincoln entered the competition after learning that Butterfield was favored over Morrison and Edwards. 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.

3The enclosed letter Smith references has not been located. Similarly, neither a letter Lincoln wrote on Smith’s behalf, nor a reply from Lincoln, if penned, has been located.
Thomas Ewing was secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the department which oversaw the U.S. General Land Office. President Zachary Taylor, however, was ultimately responsible for appointing the commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office. In the end, neither Morrison, Edwards, nor Lincoln received the appointment; the job went to Butterfield instead. See the General Land Office Affair.