At the outset of the Mexican War, Lincoln writes to fellow attorney and Whig John J. Hardin, of Jacksonville, Illinois, on behalf of Springfield physician Francis A. McNeill, who "is desirous of going the campaign to Mexico, as a surgeon." Lincoln writes, "[McNeill] thinks that you . . . may have the power to give him the place." Lincoln adds, "If . . . you can . . . give him the appointment, it would very much gratify many of us here, and dissatisfy none. We regard him as a very sensible, and very clever man; and an excellent physician & surgeon."Abraham Lincoln to John J. Hardin, 29 May 1846, CW, 1:381.