Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Richard B. Servant to Abraham Lincoln, 12 February 18491
Chester Feby 12^th 1849Dear Lincoln
Enclosed I send you a recommendation for the Appointment of M^r Ferdinand Maxwell as Register of the Land Office, at Kaskaskia.2 M^r Maxwell is a grand Son of the Old Patriarch, Col.[Colonel] Pierre Menard, and has, in an eminent degree, inherity the honesty of the “good Old Man” His Appointment would not only give universal Satisfaction in this region, but would enable General Taylor to Confer an office, on the grandson of an Old, I have no doubt esteemed friend

You will discover that one of the Papers, is signed by Citizens of Kaskaskia, who testify to the present incumbent^s incompetency, and to his unscrupulous interference in elections– This should be sufficient cause for removal– The other Paper contains the names of the most respectable and influential Citizens in the district3

You will confer a favour on your friends, in this region, by presenting the enclosed papers to the proper department, and urging the Appointment at as early a day as practicable; and you Can use this letter, in any way that you may deem efficient
Your friendR. B. ServantHon A. LincolnWashington City

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[ docketing ]
Register Kaskaskia Ill[Illinois]
Fr^d[Ferdinand] Maxwell of Kaskaskia
By R B Servant
recommends removal incomptant4

1Richard B. Servant wrote the body of the letter in its entirety.

2The enclosure and papers mentioned in the second paragraph have not been located.

3Jacob Feaman was register of the General Land Office in Kaskaskia from 1845 to May, 1850.
Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1845 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1845), 213; 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; Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1887), 8:178.

4Ferdinand Maxwell did not get the appointment while Abraham Lincoln was still in the House of Representatives, and in April 1849, Maxwell wrote Lincoln a letter inquiring about the disposition of his application. Feaman retained his post until May, 1850, when Maxwell received the job. Maxwell held 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), 139; 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.