Memorandum:
Appointment of William Masten1Jump to section
To-day, Hon. Mr. Steele, of N.Y. comes and expresses great anxiety that William Masten may be appointed Collector in the District including Ulster County. He says Mr. M. is a Republican, but one to whom he, Mr. S. is under personal obligations. Mr. S. fully explains about indictments.
Annotation
[1] AD, DLC-RTL. Representative John B. Steele was a Democrat of Kingston, New York. Senator Ira Harris wrote in support of Masten on August 21, 1862, and added, ``He has been indicted. I know the facts about it. There is not the slightest foundation for the charges made that of taking illegal fees in office. . . .'' (DLC-RTL). Masten was appointed collector in the Thirteenth District of New York and confirmed by the Senate on February 26, 1863, in spite of memorials of remonstrance from citizens of the district. See Lincoln's letter to Chase and memorandum concerning this appointment, November 8, infra.