LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). 
Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln"), to John M. Clayton. Washington, D.C., 23 June 1849.

1 p.; 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm); docketed on verso; creasing from old folds; small loss and chipping along left side, not affecting text; other scattered edge wear; closed tear in bottom edge; unevenly toned.

In full: "Dear Sir: My friend Martin P. Sweet, will probably be an applicant for some diplomatic appointment. A direct recommendation from me would be in conflict, as I think, with at least one recommendation I have already made, and might be excepted to by other aspirants in that portion of our state where I reside—After saying so much, it affords me great pleasure to bear testimony in behalf of Mr Sweet’s high merits intellectually, morrally (sic) and politically; and to repeat, what I have so often said, that some encouragement should be given to the North Western District of Illinois– I have not any doubt that in that District, Mr Sweet is the favorite, for any appointment which may be given–Your Obt Servt A. Lincoln."

During his single term in the United States House of Representatives, Abraham Lincoln wrote to John M. Clayton, the Illinois Secretary of State, recommending Martin P. Sweet (1806-1864) for a diplomatic appointment. Sweet was a friend of Lincoln's and a Whig leader from Freeport, Illinois. Schwartz, “Whither The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln?: More Unpublished Lincoln Letters,” in Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association 13 (1992), 51. Not in Basler.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation