Memoranda:
Appointment of William B. Richmond1Jump to section
Mr. Richmond resides in Tenn. and is recommended by Messrs Bell, Johnson, Maynard & Nelson. Also by Senator Simmons & other Rhode Islanders.
App. Consul at Paris or Havre. Recommended by Senator Simmons & also Messrs Bell & Johnson.
Annotation
[1] AD, DNA FS RG 59, Appointments, Box 370. William B. Richmond was not appointed to either post, but on December 23, Lincoln nominated him for the consulship at Tunis upon John H. Peters' failure (supra) to be confirmed. On March 24, 1862, Lincoln withdrew William B. Richmond's nomination in favor of Amos Perry of Rhode Island, who was confirmed April 15 (Executive Journal). The persons listed as recommending Richmond were Senator James F. Simmons of Rhode Island, Andrew Johnson, John Bell, Representative Horace Maynard, and Representative Thomas A. R. Nelson---all of Tennessee. Lincoln was in error in listing Senator Simmons among William W. Richmond's supporters, having confused the latter with William W. Richmond, also an applicant for the Paris consulship. Both William B. of Tennessee and William W. of New Orleans had resided abroad for some years. Both were well recommended, loyal, and apparently of unusual competence. But neither was appointed because of the confusion of identity. See Lincoln to Seward, June 8 and August 7, and Lincoln's memorandum concerning William W. Richmond, August 25, infra.