Carson Dobbins Hay to Simon Cameron, September 16, 1861

Washington City

Sept. 16^th 1861

To the

            Hon S. Cameron

                        Sec. of War

The undersigned a citizen of Southern Illinois respectfully solicits the appointment of Pay master of volunteers in the Army of the U. States, for the Western Division.

As one basis for the appointment I would beg to suggest, that while Southern Illinois is furnishing more troops for the War, than any other Section of the Union, She has less of the places of honor and  profit in the Army.

I have the honor to be

Very respectfully

Your obt Servt.

Carson D. Hay

SOURCE: The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, Series III (Presidential Papers), RG 99, Entry 7: Correspondence, Letters Received, 1799-1894, NAB, where you will find a full color pdf. of this letter.

Carson Dobbins Hay to Abraham Lincoln, March 27, 1860

Newton Jasper Co. Ills

March 27th 1860

Hon. A. Lincoln

Honored & Dear Sir

I have been highly delighted at Seeing the perfect Success of your tour East. It is very evident that nothing has transpired recently to so much advance your interest and elevate you in the minds of the people, as that short trip.

I regret you did not address the people of Pennsylvania & New Jersey. I see by the papers that you were urged by the people of those States to do so. Cant you do it yet? Those are two of the doubtful States, and we must have Pennsylvania or we are almost certainly defeated, and I believe there is no man can do as much to secure Penna. as yourself. After the meeting of the Chicago Convention it will probably be too late for you to Speak in Penna. as I think in all probability you will be chosen our Standard-bearer—

I saw one of the delegates to that Convn the other day from the Southern part of Indiana and he Said that the Indiana delegation would will go for Abraham Lincoln on the first balot. He said it was all a mistake about Indiana going for Bates. It is ascertained that the Germans are opposed to Bates, and this fact being once fully understood, will lay him on the Shelf.

I was of opinion some time since, that as it was so all important to carry Penna. it would be pollicy for us to place a Pennsylvanian at the head of the ticket, but I am now fully of the opinion that the Strongest ticket we can get is Abraham Lincoln for President and Simon Cameron for Vice P. –

I shall be at the Decatur Convention and hope to meet you there—

I must not close, without mentioning the fact that we have a little Abraham Lincoln at our house, about twenty four hours old– His arrival created something of a Stir in our little town as it got noised around that your Honor was at Mr Hays, and Several persons were on their way to call on you, when it was discovered that it was not the original, but only a namesake—

I hope you will not think I am trying to flatter you . . . What I write comes from the bottom of my heart –

Believe me very Sincerely and Truly Your Friend and Humb. Sevt.

C. D. Hay

SOURCE: Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.