Lincoln Forwards Some Ill-Gotten Gains

March 5, 1863

Lincoln sent U.S. Treasurer Francis E. Spinner $868, which was sent to him from anonymous Brooklyn correspondent:, “I came by [the money] in a dishonest manner . . . Being tempted, in an unguarded moment I consented to take it being very much in want of money but thanks be to my Saviour I was led by the influences of the Holy Spirit to see my great sin and to return it to you as the representative of the United States.”

Connecticut Senator James Dixon complains about the appointment of Mark Howard as a collector of revenue in his state: “O beg leave to say that I prefer to leave the whole matter of the appointment of a Collector of the Internal Revenue for the first District of Connecticut to the Secretary of the Treasury, beleiving [sic] that his choice will be such, as to advance the interests of the Country, & of your Administration, & give satisfaction to all concerned.”