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12/22/1849
Rec'd[Received] 22d Decr
John D. Caton to Abraham Lincoln, 29 November 18491
Ottawa Nov 29./49Hon A. LincolnDear Sir.
Dr E. A. Guilbert of this place, is a candidate before the State Department at Washington, for some appointment in connection with a foreign Mission– Although not belonging to the same political family with yourself or the Doctor, as you well know, and as a general thing ^declining^ to interfere in any way in political affairs while holding my present position yet my confidence in and personal friendship for Dr Guilbert,2 prompt me to assure you, that if you can do any thing for him you will do an act which you will never regret. I have no hesitation in saying that I have no doubt that he is well qualified for the place which he seeks– He is certainly an estimable and worthy young man, and I hope you will feel justified in giving him your support.
I am most truely yoursJ. D. Caton3
1John D. Caton wrote and signed this letter. Abraham Lincoln enclosed this letter in a letter to Secretary of State John M. Clayton, December 7, 1849.
2Caton was at the time a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton.
3T. Lyle Dickey also endorsed Edward A. Guilbert to Lincoln, and Lincoln enclosed Dickey’s letter of recommendation in his December 7 letter to Clayton.
Guilbert does not appear in the official registers of the officers and agents of the federal government for 1849, 1851, and 1853, so apparently he did not receive an appointment.
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); 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); 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).

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), RG 59, Entry 760: Appointment Records, Applications and Recommendations for Office, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, 1797-1901, NACP.