The triumphant election of General Taylor to the presidency in November, 1848, very soon devolved upon Mr. Lincoln the delicate and difficult duty of making recommendations to the incoming administration of persons suitable to be appointed to fill the various Federal offices in Illinois, as Colonel E.D.  Baker and himself were the only Whigs elected to Congress from that State.  In performing this duty, one of his leading characteristics, impartial honesty and absolute fairness to political friends and foes alike, stands out with noteworthy clearness.  His term ended with General Taylor’s inauguration, and he appears to have remained in Washington but a few days thereafter.  Before leaving, he wrote to the new Secretary of the Treasury: 

“Colonel E.D.  Baker and myself are the only Whig members of Congress from Illinois—­I of the Thirtieth, and he of the Thirty-first.  We have reason to think the Whigs of that State hold us responsible, to some extent, for the appointments which may be made of our citizens.  We do not know you personally, and our efforts to see you have, so far, been unavailing.  I therefore hope I am not obtrusive in saying in this way, for him and myself, that when a citizen of Illinois is to be appointed, in your department, to an office, either in or out of the State, we most respectfully ask to be heard.”

On the following day, March 10, 1849, he addressed to the Secretary of State his first formal recommendation.  It is remarkable from the fact that between the two Whig applicants whose papers are transmitted, he says rather less in favor of his own choice than of the opposing claimant.

“SIR:  There are several applicants for the office of United States Marshal for the District of Illinois, among the most prominent of whom are Benjamin Bond, Esq., of Carlyle, and ——­ Thomas, Esq., of Galena.  Mr. Bond I know to be personally every way worthy of the office; and he is very numerously and most respectably recommended.  His papers I send to you; and I solicit for his claims a full and fair consideration.  Having said this much, I add that in my individual judgment the appointment of Mr. Thomas would be the better.

     “Your obedient servant,
     “A.  LINCOLN”

(Indorsed on Mr. Bond’s papers.)

“In this and the accompanying envelop are the recommendations of about two hundred good citizens, of all parts of Illinois, that Benjamin Bond be appointed marshal for that district.  They include the names of nearly all our Whigs who now are, or have ever been, members of the State legislature, besides forty-six of the Democratic members of the present legislature, and many other good citizens.  I add that from personal knowledge I consider Mr. Bond every way worthy of the office, and qualified to fill it.  Holding the individual opinion that the appointment of a different gentleman would be better, I ask especial attention and consideration for his claims, and for the opinions expressed in his favor by those over whom I can claim no superiority.”