Abraham Lincoln Appoints to a Federal Office an Old Friend From Springfield

In 1837, Lincoln moved from New Salem, Illinois, to the new state capital of Springfield. He was still something of a country boy in the city, even though Springfield was itself little more than a village. For six years, he lived the life of a bachelor-lawyer-politician. He roomed with general store owner Joshua F. Speed, a fellow Kentucky transplant, and often took his meals with the family of fellow attorney William Butler. William H. Herndon, who served later as Mr. Lincoln’s law partner, wrote that Lincoln ‘had little, if any money, but hoped to find in Springfield, as he had in New Salem, good and influential friends…” He made friends there, many of whom he retained until he left Springfield for the last time in early 1861 to assume the presidency.

One of these was Turner R. King, a man who impressed him sufficiently that Lincoln sought to advance his career. Lincoln was a prominent Whig politican and Congressman when Zachary Taylor became president, and he had some influence with the new administration he had worked so hard to elect. Shortly after Taylor’s inauguration, he contacted Interior Secretary Thomas Ewing recommending that King receive a Federal appointment. As Lincoln himself subsequently wrote Ewing on May 10, 1849, a monkey wrench had been thrown into the King nomination, and he again requested that Ewing favor King. Lincoln’s letter stated:?“I regret troubling you so often in relation to the land-offices here, but I hope you will perceive the necessity of it, and excuse me. On the 7th of April I wrote you recommending Turner R. King for register, and Walter Davis for receiver. Subsequently I wrote you that, for a private reason, I had concluded to transpose them. That private reason was the request of an old personal friend who himself desired to be receiver, but whom I felt it my duty to refuse a recommendation. He said if I would transpose King and Davis he would be satisfied. I thought it a whim, but, anxious to oblige him, I consented. Immediately he commenced an assault upon King’s character, intending, as I suppose, to defeat his appointment, and thereby secure another chance for himself. This double offence of bad faith to me and slander upon a good man is so totally outrageous that I now ask to have King and Davis placed as I originally recommended,–that is, King for register and Davis for receiver.”?Ewing honored Lincoln’s request.

When Lincoln became President, he again remembered King, appointing him U.S. Collector for the Illinois’ 8th Congressional District in 1862. Document Signed as President, Washington, August 28, 1862, being that original appointment. The document is countersigned by Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase. We obtained this directly from Turner King’s great-niece and it has never previously been offered for sale.

King played a key role in determing how history looks at the marriage of Lincoln with Mary Todd. This is the interview that he gave to William H. Herndon in 1865-6, which because of its striking characterization of Mary Todd, became the basis of the opinion about their relationship. King told Herndon:?“I came to Ill. in Deccember 1840. Knew Lincoln as early as 1840 & 1841. In March 1841 I used to see Mr. Lincoln – hanging about – moody – silent & &c. The question in his mind was, have “I incurred any obligation to marry that woman”. He wanted to dodge if he could. [Stephen A.] Douglas was Secy of State when I came here. [John] Calhoun [not the South Carolina Senator] & Lincoln discussed the tariff: they were the best debaters – most logical & finest debates on the Tariff question in the State. Lincoln & Cartwright became candidates for Congress in 1846. The leading democrats gave up the contest – Conceding Lincoln’s election. Lincoln took his seat in Congress in 1847. Mr Lincoln had me appointed Register of the land office. In his political speeches he was candid – fair – honest – courteous – and manly to his opponent. He stated his propositions candidly – clearly. He required to be kicked – roused to be at himself…Once I hired him in a trial. The opposite atty spoke sharply: Mr. Lincoln looked at him keenly, sharply – for an instant. Crushed his anger and inquired who that man was. Lincoln could not & would not bear insolence &c from no man. Lincoln’s wife was a hellion – a she devil – vexed & harrowed the soul out of that good man. Wouldn’t cook for him, drove him from home &c – often.”