Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

William B. Doolittle to Abraham Lincoln, 5 February 18491
Dillon Feby 5^th 1849Hon A. LinconD^r Sir
I have been informed that in the contemplated distribution of the offices of the General Government in this district, the long neglected claims of this true and unwavering Whig County; has been at length recognised2 ^and^ one of the Land Offices at Springfield conceded to her.

This would be satisfactory if confered upon a deserving and true Whig

Mr. T. R King for the last five years a resident of this county, has by his firm consistent and untiring exertions in the Whig cause won for himself the confidence of the party whilst his misfortunes in business his natural disabilities his gentlemanly deportment and undoubted integrity have won for him the sympathy and best wishes of all his acquaintances I Know of no man in the county whose appointment would give more general satisfaction none whose disappointment would cause more general regret

Trusting in the magnanimity and Justice of your Public life I hope you will not permit a Whig so worthy to be disappointed.3
Respectfully Your Obt Svt[Obedient Servant]W^m B. Doolittle

1William B. Doolittle wrote this letter in its entirety.

2“recognized” changed to “recognised”.

3From December 1848 to February 1849, Abraham Lincoln received several letters urging him to help Turner R. King secure a job at the U.S. General Land Office. On April 7, 1849, Lincoln wrote a letter to Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ewing recommending King for the job of register. On April 13, he wrote another letter reversing himself, recommending King for the job of receiver. On May 10, Lincoln reversed himself again, penning a letter recommending King for register. In late May, King received the appointment as register and held the job until 1853.
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; 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; Philo H. Thompson to Abraham Lincoln; Samuel R. Baker to Abraham Lincoln; William B. Doolittle to Abraham Lincoln; Robert W. Briggs to Abraham Lincoln.