Lincoln writes to John D. Johnston, his stepbrother, who wishes his help in securing contract for mail route: "I have made out a bid for you at $120, guaranteed it myself, got our PM here to certify it, and sent it on." Regarding previous letter of Johnston's concerning "some man's claim for a pension," he writes that those of whom he inquired about claim "decide that he can not get a pension." Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 23 February 1850, CW, 2:76-77.