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Richard T. Gill to Abraham Lincoln, 5 February 18491
Tremont Feby 5. 1849Honl[Honorable] A LincolnDr Sir
As it is Generally conceded That the whigs Is To Have The benefit of the offices under Genl[General] Taylors administration I would suggest The propriety of securing an office For our Friend, Turner, R; King of Pekin, He is one of the most useful men To the party in this County.. He is unfortunately poor & lame and not able To make A Living by work, He undoubtedly ought To Have some office, He would Like To Have a Land office appointment.. If you will use your Influence To secure Him the appointment of such an office It will be remembered by His friends in This County
Most Respectfully YoursR T Gill, sff [sheriff] T. C.2
1Richard T. Gill wrote this letter in its entirety.
2From 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.

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 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.