BLAIR, Montgomery (1813-1883) and CORKRAN, Francis S. (1816-1886). A group of 7 documents related to Montgomery Blair, Francis Corkran, and political patronage during the Lincoln Administration, comprising:

BLAIR, Montgomery. Autograph letter signed ("M Blair"), to “Friend Corkran.” [indecipherable], 16 April 1861. ½ p., 5 x 8 in., creases at folds. Blair writes regarding Lincoln's desire for Mr. French S. Evans to receive an appointment: “The President declared in [?] at the cases[?] that Evans was to be provided for as Dpy [Deputy] in yr[?] office[.] I assented to that.” Francis S. Corkran was appointed naval officer at Baltimore, 15 April 1861, and was in charge of the Port of Baltimore. French S. Evans, the former editor of the Baltimore Patriot, had been driven out of Baltimore due to his Unionist sympathies, and Lincoln desired him to receive an appointment. Lincoln's correspondence indicates that Corkran refused to make Evans a deputy naval officer, something that Lincoln writes caused him to be "grievously disappointed and disobliged" (see Lincoln letter to Salmon P. Chase, 6 May 1861). Evans is later listed as deputy naval officer at Baltimore as of 30 September 1861.

KASSON, John A. (1822-1910). Letter signed ("John A. Kasson"), to Francis S. Corkran. Post Office Department, Office of Appointments, Washington, DC, 27 March 1862. 1p, 8 x 10 in., light soil, creases at folds. Kasson informs Corkran that, “in the opinion of the Department it is deemed in-expedient to re-establish the Post Office at ‘Buchanan,’ in Baltimore Co., Maryland, at present...”

CLARK, S. M. Autograph letter signed ("S.M. Clark"), to Francis S. Clark. Washington, DC, 2 May 1862. 1 p., 7 3/4 x 10 in., on Office of Construction, Treasury Department letterhead, creases at folds. Clark conveys the Assistant Secretary’s request for Corkran’s “opinion as to the fitness of Eben Faxon, architect, of your City [Baltimore] for the position of Superintendent of Construction at Baltimore.” Clark makes it clear that “The enquiry is in not reference to his competency, but reports having reached me tending to impugn his loyalty to the Union, this course is taken to ascertain the accuracy of the report.”

JANNEY, Samuel M. (1801-1880). Autograph letter signed ("S.M. Janney"), to Francis S. Corkran. Loudoun County, VA, 24 November 1862. 2 1/3 pp, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., creasing at folds, pencil notation at top of page 1. Janney, a prominent Quaker and businessman, wants Cockran to intervene with the President to work out a formal deal whereby Janney could increase his access to, and distribution, of salt to families—including Secessionists not in open revolt but excluding Rebel troops and their suppliers. "As thou art an agent of the Government and friend of the administration, I have concluded to ask thee whether there is any objection to a supply of salt being brought over for the use of families..." He seeks a loosening of restrictions of the supply of various commodities to the Confederate States. “My plan would be this: If the President would give me a special permit for publication here, stating the conditions & limitations, I would be willing to devote most of my time to carrying out the purpose, and I think I could convince many that they have been mistaken in the character & motives of the Federal executive. The plan if successful might be extended to other parts of the country.” Janney suggests that this arrangement would have value in terms of public relations: “We know that kindness, judiciously administered, is sometimes more effectual that cannon balls.”

LEWIS, Joseph J. Letter signed ("Joseph J. Lewis"), to Francis S. Corkran. Washington, DC, 5 September 1863. 1p, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in., on Treasury Department / Office of Internal Revenue letterhead, toned, scattered ink marks. “Mr. Joseph J. Stewart has been appointed.” Added in the hand of the author: “I saw the Prest. and delivered your message.”

BLAIR, Montgomery. Autograph letter signed ("M Blair"), to Francis S. Corkran. n.p., 16 November 1863. 1 p, 5 1/4 x 8 1/2 in., light soil, creases at folds. Blair is sending some papers he came across [not present] that may be of interest to Corkran.

BLAIR, Montgomery. Autograph letter signed ("M Blair") to Francis S. Corkran, n.p., 26 January 1864. 2 pp, 5 x 8 in., light soil, toning. Blair writes to his friend relaying Lincoln's displeasure with Corkran's meddling: “The President sent for me today & said my friend Cockran has got me into a very awkward scrape. At his insistence I was induced to sign a paper commissioning a friend of his & removing a friend of A. [?] Webster a past [?] friend of the Administration...I do not wish to remove Mr. Stewart because he has done his duties favorably[?]. But I am satisfied that I did in [?] to Gen. Ridgely[?] in removing him. I have been looking about for another plan for Mr. Stewart...Can you induce[?] Mr. Stewart to resign?" Though Blair’s handwriting is very difficult to decipher, the letter here with the others leave little doubt that Cockran was well-connected and high-stakes influence peddler.

Montgomery Blair was a lawyer from Maryland who served as defense counsel for Dredd Scott before the Supreme Court. He supported Lincoln's 1860 presidential campaign, and after his election, Lincoln appointed Blair to his cabinet as Postmaster General, a position which Blair held from March 1861 through September 1864. The Lincoln and Blair families were close, allowing Montgomery Blair access to the President and opportunities for influence. Francis S. Corkran, a native of Maryland, was an abolitionist and a Republican politician.

The Richard B. Cohen Civil War Collection