Muhammad bin al-Munkadir (may Allah have mercy on him) said that Abbas bin Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Grant me too authority over some of what Allah has placed you in charge of. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), uncle of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)! A soul that you save is better than an authority whose due you cannot fully discharge."
(b) Muhammad bin al-Munkadir (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) that Abbas bin Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint me to authority?
The mursal (version) is the preserved one; the first is more authentic, and this al-Sulami al-Basri alone narrated it (as connected).
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب آداب القاضي / 20216