Lincoln writes to Representative Moses Hampton of Pennsylvania, with whom he had served in Congress. Lincoln asks Hampton to write a letter recommending Lincoln for an appointment to the General Land Office. Lincoln admits that he is not particularly desirous of the job, but that he has "come to this conclusion, more to prevent what would be generally bad for the party here, and particularly bad for me, than a positive desire for the office." Lincoln requests that Hampton write directly to President Zachary Taylor and not to Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ewing. Lincoln closes by asking Hampton to write "as pretty a letter for me as you think the truth will permit." Abraham Lincoln to Moses Hampton, 1 June 1849, CW 11:1-2.