To Thomas Ewing1Jump to section
Hon. T. Ewing Secretary etc.
Dear Sir:
I have just received a letter from a friend at Washington, from which the following is an extract. ``Again __________ told me that there was a clique in Springfield determined to prevent Butterfield's confirmation; and, that Lincoln would give a thousand dollars to have it done, but, says ____________, one of the company who meets with them, keeps Butterfield weekly posted etc.''
This annoys me a little. I am unwilling for the Administration to believe or suspect such a thing. I write this therefore, to assure you that I am neither privy to, nor cognizant of, any such clique; and that I most potently disbelieve in the existence of any such. I opposed the appointment of Mr. B. because I believed it would be a matter of discouragement to our active, working friends here, and I opposed if for no other reason. I never did, in any true sense, want the office myself. Since Mr. B's appointment, having no personal ill-will to him, and believing it to be for the interest of the Administration and of our cause generally, I have constantly desired his confirmation. I have seen in the Newspapers but one matter of complaint against him, and in that (the matter of the Land Warrants) I believe he is right. What I am here saying depends on my word alone; but I think Mr. B. himself, if appealed to, will not say he disbelieves me.
Your Obt. Servt. A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi.