LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln") as President to Postmaster General Montgomery Blair. Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C., 15 July 1861.

1 p.; 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (165 x 114 mm); creasing from old folds, minor repairs to same on verso; abrasion in top edge center from old mount, affecting both sides.

In full: "Executive Mansion July 15. 1861 Hon. Post-Master-General My dear Sir Please send me a nomination for John Armstrong, as Post-Master at Springfield, Illinois. Yours truly A. Lincoln".

President Lincoln requests that U.S. Postmaster General Montgomery Blair send him the nomination of John Armstrong (1814-1877) as Postmaster of Springfield. According to History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois, (1876) by John Carroll Power, Armstrong originally hailed from Chester County, Pennsylvania, before settling in Springfield in 1837, where he was a "contractor and builder for many years." Armstrong was a prominent citizen in Springfield who seemed to have harbored political aspirations. The 25 March 1861, Illinois State Journal announced the name of John Armstrong as a candidate for the mayor of the city of Springfield "subject to the action of a Republican City Convention," though the position ultimately went to another candidate.

The position of postmaster was often at this time an inherently political appointment. Armstrong, a Republican, replaced a Buchanan-era Democrat who previously occupied the role, and he remained Springfield Postmaster throughout Lincoln's administration. Notably, Lincoln passed over a family member, Elizabeth J. Todd Grimsley (1825-1895) for this appointment. Grimsley, or "Cousin Lizzie" as she was known within her family, was the daughter of Mary Lincoln's uncle. Grimsley lived with the Lincoln family in the White House in 1861, during which time she assisted with the care of the Lincoln children, and actively sought the appointment as Springfield postmaster. In a letter of 30 March 1861 to John T. Stuart, Lincoln writes regarding the possibility of Grimsley's appointment: "The question of giving her the Springfield Post-office troubles me. You see I already appointed William Jayne a territorial governor, and Judge Trumbull's brother to a land office. Will it do for me to go on and justify the declaration that Trumbull and I have divided out all the offices among our relatives?"

Less than four months later, Lincoln would write this letter in favor of Armstrong's nomination for the position of Springfield Postmaster, and Armstrong's presidential appointment to the role would be solidified within days.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation

This lot is located in Chicago.