Located at the seat of government of the State, he has been, for part if not the whole of the time he has held the office, a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, signing his name to their addresses and manifestoes; and has been, as I understand, reappointed by Mr. Polk since General Taylor’s election.  These are the facts of the case as I understand them, and I give no opinion of mine as to whether he should or should not be removed.  My wish is that the department may adopt some proper general rule for such cases, and that Mr. Diller may not be made an exception to it, one way or the other.

Your obedient servant,
A. Lincoln.

P. S.—­This office, with its delivery, is entirely within my district; so that Colonel Baker, the other Whig representative, claims no voice in the appointment.L.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

Springfield, Illinois, April 7, 1849. 
Hon.  Secretary of the home department.

Dear sir:—­I recommend that William Butler be appointed pension agent for the Illinois agency, when the place shall be vacant.  Mr. Hurst, the present incumbent, I believe has performed the duties very well.  He is a decided partisan, and I believe expects to be removed.  Whether he shall, I submit to the department.  This office is not confined to my district, but pertains to the whole State; so that Colonel Baker has an equal right with myself to be heard concerning it.  However, the office is located here; and I think it is not probable that any one would desire to remove from a distance to take it.

Your obedient servant,
A. Lincoln.

TO THOMPSON.

Springfield, April 25, 1849.

Dear Thompson:  A tirade is still kept up against me here for recommending T. R. King.  This morning it is openly avowed that my supposed influence at Washington shall be broken down generally, and King’s prospects defeated in particular.  Now, what I have done in this matter I have done at the request of you and some other friends in Tazewell; and I therefore ask you to either admit it is wrong or come forward and sustain me.  If the truth will permit, I propose that you sustain me in the following manner:  copy the inclosed scrap in your own handwriting and get everybody (not three or four, but three or four hundred) to sign it, and then send it to me.  Also, have six, eight or ten of our best known Whig friends there write to me individual letters, stating the truth in this matter as they understand it.  Don’t neglect or delay in the matter.  I understand information of an indictment having been found against him about three years ago, for gaming or keeping a gaming house, has been sent to the department.  I shall try to take care of it at the department till your action can be had and forwarded on.