Mark Delahay was an early supporter of the Republican party and long-time friend of Lincoln’s although others would accuse him of ineptitude and using Lincoln for his own gain. In 1861 Lincoln would name Delahay as Surveyor-General of Kansas.
Transcript:
May 10th 1861
Dear Lincoln,
I would be very glad to get to see you about two matters of business, and to be importunate at a time when your whole time is occupied with big matters, is very distasteful and unpleasant to me. But it is of great importance to our People and myself that I should see you before I leave for home. if you can, will you oblige me by naming an hour between now and Monday when I can see you
Truly your friend
M W Delahay
Citation: Mark William Delahay (1817-1879),correspondence with Abraham Lincoln. Washington D.C., 10 May 1861. AMs 527/4