Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) to Elisha Embree

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05276 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Springfield, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 May 1849 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25.3 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he has heard that the General Land Office is going to be given to Illinois and that Thomas Ewing, the Secretary of the Interior, wants Justin Butterfield to be appointed. Lincoln advises that this would be a great mistake. "I give you my word, the appointment of Mr. B will be an egregious political blunder. It will give offense to the whole whig party here, and be worse than a dead loss to the administration of so much patronage." Lincoln then recommends himself or his candidate for the position. Lincoln was not granted the position.

Elisha Embree and Lincoln both served in the Thirtieth Congress as Whig Representatives from Illinois. Thomas Ewing was appointed by President Zachary Taylor as the first Secretary of the Department of the Interior.

Confidential
Springfield, Ills. May 25 1849
Hon. E. Embree
Dear Sir
I am about to ask a favor of you -- one which, I hope will not cost you much. I understand the General Land Office is about to be given to Illinois, and that Mr. Ewing demes [sic] Justin Butterfield of Chicago, to be the man. I give you my word, the appointment of Mr. B. will be an egregious political blunder. It will give offense to the whole whig party here, and be worse than a dead loss to the administration, of so much of its patronage. Now if you can conscientiously do so, I wish you to write General Taylor at once, saying that either I, or the man I recommend, should, in your opinion, be appointed to that office, if any one from Illinois shall be. I restrict my request to Ills. because you may have a man of your own, in your own state; and I do not ask to interfere with that.
Your friend as ever
A. Lincoln

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Embree, Elisha, 1801-1863
Ewing, Thomas, 1789-1871
Butterfield, Justin, 1790-1855

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources