Abraham Lincoln to Peter Hagner, 2 April 18491
Mr Peter HagnerAuditor &c.[etc]Dear Sir:
Your letter in relation to the claim of Joseph Howard, assigned to Hickox & Brothers, is received– In answer to your enquiry, as to why it is again presented after having been once rejected, I can only say it was done under the impression that since it’s rejection, some law of Congress had passed which might authorize it’s allowance– At the time my attention was asked to it, I was too busy to investigate it myself, and therefore had it sent to you, hoping then, as I do now, that you might find a law oth authorizing it’s allowance– On your final determination, please write me again–2
Your Obt Servt[Obedient Servant]A. Lincoln
1Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this letter.
2On March 19, 1849, Peter Hagner wrote Lincoln that Secretary of War William L. Marcy had decided that Joseph Howard’s claim was inadmissible. No further communication regarding this claim has been located.

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Private Collection, Edward M. Keys, Mahwah, NJ.