AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, ON PLAIN LINED PAPER, TO E.B. FRENCH, DATED AT HAMPDEN [MAINE], AUGUST 19, 1861, ASKING FOR HELP IN SECURING A CAPTAIN'S COMMISSION FOR J.C. PETERSON: "I DESIRE TO ASK A PERSONAL FAVOR OF YOU. IT IS FOR YOU TO SEE THE SECY OR AST SECY OF WAR, FOR ME, IN THE CASE I WILL STATE, AND YOU WILL SUBMIT THIS LETTER TO THE SECY. I FEAR IF I WRITE AN ORDINARY LETTER, IT MAY BE OVERLOOKED IN THE PRESS OF BUSINESS AND HENCE I ASK YOUR IMMEDIATE PERSONAL ATTENTION TO IT. "I INTENDED TO RECOMMEND J.C. PETERSON, A NATIVE OF N.Y. BUT NOW A PHYSICIAN AT ST. JOHN N.B. FOR A CAPT IN THE ARMY. I SUPPOSED I DID SO, BUT J.C. PATTERSON - NOT PETERSON, HAS BEEN NOMINATED & CONFIRMED A CAPT. THERE IS NO SUCH MAN. THERE MUST THEREFORE BE A VACANCY IN THAT PLACE OF CAPT. AS THERE IS NO J.C. PATTERSON TO ACCEPT. HENCE I SUPPOSE J.C. PETERSON CAN BE APPOINTED AND COMMISSIONED TO SUPPLY THAT VACANCY, AND HIS NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE AT THE NEXT SESSION. I WANT IT DONE AT ONCE BECAUSE I INFORMED PETERSON THAT