He was already beginning to be known as "Old Abe." Hon.

E.B.Washburne states that he remembers hearing him thus called, in Chicago, in July, 1847.

"One afternoon," says Mr.Washburne, "several of us sat on the sidewalk under the balcony in front of the Sherman House, and among the number was the accomplished scholar and unrivalled orator, Lisle Smith, who suddenly interrupted the conversation by exclaiming, 'There is Lincoln on the other side of the street! _Just look at old Abe!_' And from that time we all called him 'Old Abe.' No one who saw him can forget his personal appearance at that time.

Tall, angular, and awkward, he had on a short-waisted, thin, swallow-tail coat, a short vest of the same material, thin pantaloons scarcely coming down to his ankles, a straw hat, and a pair of brogans, with woollen socks." During the summer following the expiration of Lincoln's term in Congress (March 4, 1849) he made a strong effort to secure the position of Commissioner of the General Land Office, but without success.

The place was given to Justin Butterfield of Chicago.