Abraham Lincoln, Autograph Letter, Signed

Description

President Lincoln requests that U.S. Postmaster General Montgomery Blair send him the nomination of John Armstrong 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 Illinois State Journal of 25 March 1861, 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 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?”

Lincoln must have reconciled the issue, as less than four months later, he would write this letter in favor of Armstrong’s nomination for the position of Springfield Postmaster. Armstrong’s presidential appointment to the role would be solidified within days.  

Other postmasters in Springfield with Lincoln connections were Elijah Iles (Lincoln’s captain in the Black Hawk War, who lived just two blocks from the Lincoln home) and Isaac Diller (a neighbor of the Lincolns, whose son was captured in a photograph standing in front of the Lincoln home).  

Creasing from old folds, minor repairs to same on verso; abrasion in top edge center from old mount, affecting both sides.            

Abraham Lincoln. 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).