these lands (said he) it will not be without your consent.  We can never outnumber you.  The result is that all fear of the new States turning against the right of Congress to the public domain must be effectually quelled, as those who are opposed to that interest must always hold a vast majority here, and they will never surrender the whole or any part of the public lands unless they themselves choose to do so.  That was all he desired to say.

ON FEDERAL POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS

To the secretary of the treasury.

Washington, March 9, 1849. 
Hon.  Secretary of the treasury.

Dear sir:  Colonel R. D. Baker and myself are the only Whig members of Congress from Illinois 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 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.

Your obedient servant,
A. Lincoln.

MORE POLITICAL PATRONAGE REQUESTS

To the secretary of state.

Washington, March 10, 1849. 
Hon.  Secretary of state.

Sir:—­There are several applicants for the office of United States Marshal for the District of Illinois.  Among the most prominent of them 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 envelope 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.