Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

William Harrow to Abraham Lincoln, 24 June 18491
Laurenceville Ill. June. 24^th 49.Hon. A LincolnD^r[Dear] Sir
A number of M^r Ryan’s friends have been making some effort to have him appointed Register at Palestine

The party in this section are unwilling to see M^cLean have the office, for the reason that he held it under M^r Tylers administration and during that time, and ever since he has been at best but a lukewarm friend,2 It is unnecessary for me to say one word about M^r E. Ryans qualifications You know him well and if you can aid him in procuring the appointment it will be well received by our friends here, Any thing you may think proper to do in the premises, will be gratefully remembered3
Yours very trulyW. Harrow

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[ docketing ]
07/20/1849
20^th July 49
E Z Ryan for Register at Palestine, Ills[Illinois]
Recommended by W. Harrow

1William Harrow wrote and signed this letter.

2James M. McLean had served as register from 1842 to 1845.
William Henry Perrin, ed., History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois (Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1883), 143; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, from the Thirtieth September, 1841, to the Thirtieth September, 1843 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1843), 125.

3McLean would receive the appointment and hold the position until 1853.
Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1849 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1849), 135; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1851 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1851), 140; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1853 (Washington, DC: Robert Armstrong, 1853), 138.