If you know, and have no objection to tell, let me know whether Trumbull
intends to make a push. If he does, I suppose the two men in St. Clair,
and one, or both, in Madison, will be for him. We have the Legislature,
clearly enough, on joint ballot, but the Senate is very close, and Cullom
told me to-day that the Nebraska men will stave off the election, if they
can. Even if we get into joint vote, we shall have difficulty to unite
our forces. Please write me, and let this be confidential.
Your friend, as ever,
A. LINCOLN.
POLITICAL REFERENCES
TO JUSTICE MCLEAN.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL., December 6, 1854.
SIR:--I understand it is in contemplation to displace the present clerk
and appoint a new one for the Circuit and District Courts of Illinois. I
am very friendly to the present incumbent, and, both for his own sake and
that of his family, I wish him to be retained so long as it is possible
for the court to do so.
In the contingency of his removal, however, I have recommended William
Butler as his successor, and I do not wish what I write now to be taken
as any abatement of that recommendation.
William J. Black is also an applicant for the appointment, and I write
this at the solicitation of his friends to say that he is every way
worthy of the office, and that I doubt not the conferring it upon him
will give great satisfaction.
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