William O. Chamberlin and Others to Abraham Lincoln, 15 February 18491
Princeton Bureau Co Ills Feb 15 1849Sir,We the undersigned members of the Whig central committee of Bureau Co. understanding that Mr Stephen Smith sometime Sheriff of this county is an applicant for the office of Register in the
Land office at Dixon Lee Co. Ills., take this method of respectfully urging his claims. Mr Smith has been many years
a strenuous supporter and advocate of the great Whig principles which we in common
with yourself believe to be those under which our government should be administered He is honest, capable and faithful, has had some experience in the duties of the
station for which he is a candidate. It is confidently supposed by us and his numerous
friends in this county and elsewhere, that if appointed he would make a good officer
for the administration and satisfy those with whom he may transact business Hoping that you are so circumstanced that you can give y him your aid in obtaining the object of his desires,2
We subscribe ourselves your Obt Serv’ts[Obedient Servants]| Nathan Gray | W. O. Chamberlin M. D. |
| Robt E. Thomson | R. T. Templeton |
<Page 2>
[Envelope]
[ endorsement
]
Within are certain recommendations that Stephen Smith be appointed Register of the
Land–office at Dixon Illinois–
[ docketing
]
Register Land Office
Dixon Ill
Stephen Smith of Indiantown Ill
Recommended by Simeon Kinney
R T Templeton
Dixon Ill
Stephen Smith of Indiantown Ill
Recommended by Simeon Kinney
R T Templeton
[ docketing
]
1849
1An unknown person wrote the body of the letter. Nathan Gray, William O. Chamberlin,
Robert E. Thomson, and Robert T. Templeton signed their names. Abraham Lincoln penned
the endorsement on the envelope.
2Stephen Smith did not get the appointment; Silas Noble served as register at Dixon from 1849 to 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.
Handwritten Document Signed, 2 page(s), Box 251, 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.