W. Walker to Richard Yates

Havana Dec 25th 1863

To his Excellency

Governor R Yates

Dr Sir

We of this County are unfortunately in a Congresional district Strongly Copper head, and every County in the district Except Mason largely behind in the matter of Soldiers we have furnished at the rate of one to one & half Fulton one to four, Pike Schuyler, Cass, Menard no better than Fulton Now we insist that if It is posible that in the draft we Shall have the benefits of what as a County we have done, we have furnished Say fifty men Since the Enrolement that as yet we have no Credit for Mason County although her Claims have often been lost sight of, is reddy & willing to do her part in this Struggle and will never shrink from any duty justly attaching, yet insists on justice For Some purpose we were thrown into this district and are willing to Share with the whole district our just proportion of the burden of this war.

We ask it as a right If Your Excellency has the power, to be Exempt from this coming draft til the other Counties Composing the District have done as much in proportion as we have.

I hope Your Excellency will not Consider me impertinent but simply regard us as having rights in Common with our nabours, asking no more but protesting against any thing less I trust that there is a way to remedy this Evil and that it will be done

Truly Yours &c

W Walker

Gen. Fuller

The writer of this letter is one of the first Lawyers in Ills. and will I think be elected to the next Legislature.

I wish to give him the best answer I can, and hope you will write the letter for me to sign.

W. Walker

Havana Ills

Dec 25. 1863

In case of a draft wants Mason County credited for all the men they have sent to the War. Other Counties in the district far behind their quota see endorsement of Gov Yates.

Ansd

(File)

AGO Jan 11. 1864.