Thomas M. Killpatrick to Abraham Lincoln, 2 June 18581
Bedford Pike Co Ills June 2//58Hon A. LincolnDear SirI see there is to be a state convention on the 16th Inst to nominate candidates for the Offices of Treasurer and Superintendant of Publick Instruction. I have some thought of presenting my name to that convention as a candidate
for the latter Office.
If you can consistantley favor my pretentions, either as a delegate, or among your numerous friends in attendance on the convention
you will place me under lasting obligations
The friendship, and intimacy that has hither to existed between us has induced me to solicit this favor.2
Yours with RespectTho. M. Killpatrick<Page 2>
[Envelope]
Hon. A. LincolnSpringfieldIlls
1Thomas M. Killpatrick wrote and signed this letter. He also wrote Abraham Lincoln’s
name and address on the envelope shown in the second image.
2Killpatrick and Lincoln were both active in the Whig and Republican parties and both served terms in the Illinois General Assembly.
Lincoln did, in fact, attend the 1858 Illinois Republican Convention as a delegate
for Sangamon County. However, neither he nor any of the convention’s other delegates nominated Killpatrick
for either state treasurer or state superintendent of public instruction. The delegates
instead elected Newton Bateman as the party’s candidate for state superintendent of public instruction and incumbent
state treasurer James Miller for reelection as state treasurer. In the end, Illinois voters reelected Miller state
treasurer and elected Bateman state superintendent of public instruction.
Louis L. Emmerson, ed., Blue Book of the State of Illinois, 1919-1920 (Springfield: Illinois State Journal, 1919), 501, 529-30, 532-36; Portrait and Biographical Album of Morgan and Scott Counites, Ills. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1889), 546; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 17 June 1858, 2:2-5; Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 10 November 1858, 2:3; Daily Illinois State Register (Springfield), 27 November 1858, 2:3; The History of McLean County, Illinois
(Chicago: Wm. Le Baron, Jr., 1879), 807.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).