Letter from Abraham Lincoln to his friend Mark Carley on February 25, 1858 written from Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln writes concerning Illinois Governor William H. Bissell’s advice in regard to a political commission. Relaying Bissell’s message, Lincoln explains that Carley was ineligible for the a requested commission because he did not reside in the precinct in question. Bissell suggests Carley establish residency before seeking the commission again.
Lincoln and Carley’s friendship began in Illinois in the 1850s and continued throughout Lincoln’s presidency with Carley a member of the president’s “Kitchen Cabinet,” a group of confidants to which Lincoln turned for advice.