Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Tarrant A. Perkins to Abraham Lincoln, 4 May 18491
Tremont May 4. 1849–Friend Lincoln–
Somehow– I feel in sort of an awkward fix– A friend of mine has has addressed me, requesting me to obtain your influence to procure him a sort of an appointment from Washington There was enclosed in mine, a letter from a friend of his in Washington, saying, that he had better procure a letter of recomendation from Mr A Lincoln, to Mr Ewing, either directly himself, or through the influence of some friend– All I can say is briefly this, My friend, Mr John Lowry of St Louis, Mo, I have been for some time acquainted with, know him to be an educated, inteligent man, think him to be honest and competent for the office he seeks which is only captain of ^or^ Principal watch of the Capital, or some such office– has the reputation of a first rate upright man and a good Whig– Now if on my say so– and if it is not asking too much, if you can with propriety enclose me such a sort of a line ^to Mr Ewing or in general terms^ as will be of service to my friend. Mr Lowry– I shall be very glad to oblige him, and will be very grateful to you, You know best how it should be–

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I feel a little reluctance in troubling you with this– You must be so often bothered in this way– excuse me this time– All well– Kind regards to all yours–
Yours truly–T. A. Perkins 2

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TREMONT Ill.[Illinois]
MAY ^4^
FREE
Hon^l[Honorable] A. LincolnSpringfieldIll

[ docketing ]
06/23/1849
June 23^d/49[1849]

John Lowry for an appointment ^Mo^

[ endorsement ]
Lincoln, Abraham (President)

I do not know M^r Lowry, in whose behalf these letters are written; but the writer is my acquaintance and friend, whom I would be pleased to have obliged.
A. Lincoln3

[ docketing ]
Recommended by T.[Tarrant] A Perkins

1Tarrant A. Perkins wrote this letter, including the address on the fourth sheet, which was folded to create an envelope. He also signed the letter.

2Perkins later wrote Abraham Lincoln another letter soliciting Lincoln’s support for John Lowry. Lincoln also received a letter on Lowry’s behalf from William D. Briggs.

3Lincoln wrote and signed this endorsement.
Lowry 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).