William F. Elkin to Abraham Lincoln, 21 February 18491
Springfield Feby 21st 1849Hon. A. LincolnDear Sir,Knowing that our mutual and particular friend Wm Butler is an applicant for the Receiver’s Office in this land district, and that it will
mainly depend on your efforts in his behalf for success,— I only wish to say that
it will be highly gratifying to me, to know that your efforts in his behalf are not
in vain
I think the present incumbant should be removed as early as possible—2 Wishing all you all success in every effort to serve your friends to their satisfaction and your
own wishes
I RemainYour devoted friendWm F. Elkin
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[Envelope]
[ endorsement
]
Within are recommendations that Turner R. King be appointed Register of the Land-office at Springfield, Illinois—3
[ docketing
]
1849
1William F. Elkin wrote the body of the letter in its entirety. Abraham Lincoln penned
the endorsement on the envelope.
2Archer G. Herndon was the incumbent.
Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of
the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1847 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1847), 31.
3Lincoln may have been referring to five letters endorsing Turner R. King for an appointment.
See Philo H. Thompson to Abraham Lincoln; S. R. Baker to Abraham Lincoln; William B. Doolittle to Abraham Lincoln; R. G. Gill to Abraham Lincoln; Robert W. Briggs to Abraham Lincoln. The incumbent register was James W. Barrett. King would replace Barrett as register in Springfield.
Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of
the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1847 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1847), 30; Niles’ National Register (Philadelphia, PA), 23 May 1849, 1:2; 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.
4William Butler would not get the appointment; Walter Davis became the new receiver in Springfield.
Niles’ National Register (Philadelphia, PA), 23 May 1849, 1:2; 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), 137.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), Box 252, RG 48, Entry 15: Records of the Office of the
Secretary of the Interior, 1833-1964, Divisional Records, 1843-1943, Records of the Appointments
Division, 1817-1922, Field Office Appointment Papers, NACP.