To David Wilmot1Jump to section
Hon. D. Wilmot, I will do that. A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, DLC-RTL. An undated note from Wilmot to which Lincoln replied, reads as follws: ``I leave for Harrisburg at 5 o'c to day. Not having heard from you I have called for an answer. Will you please give an answer on this sheet.'' (DLC-RTL).
Another undated letter from Wilmot, probably written on or near this date, is as follows:
``Yesterday Mr Grow informed me you had determined to make my appointment. I tender you my gratitude and thanks.
``Will you allow me a word, I dislike exceedingly to sever my identity with my State. I am known to its people, and hope that I have the love and respect of many of them. A position on the Court of Claims is national, the Bench of the District is local. I feel that Mr President very much---more perhaps than I ought. Again, while able to labor, in quiet and without excitement, I am satisfied that I have not many years in which to make provision for the family I must leave behind. The salary on the court of claims is $1000 greater than on the District Court.
``I trust that my name would not impair public confidence in the Courts and that your friends throughout the country would feel that you had not unworthily bestowed the appointment.''(DLC-RTL).
On March 6, 1863, Lincoln appointed Wilmot judge of the Court of Claims.