E. V. Peirce to Richard Yates

Benton, Ills

11th June 1861

To His Excellency Richard Yates

Governor of the State of Illinois

I have been informed

by citizens of Williamson County

that J. M. Clementson states atty

for the 26th Judicial Circuit re

moved from the district on last

Wednesday this day a week ago

and has gone to the south and

it is supposed to join the rebels

there, and that his family has

since left Williamson County

If such be the case, as I doubt

not it is, as it is the general

understanding among his

near neighbors, your excellency

will declare the office vacant

and your personal and political

friends in the district are anxious

and desire me to make application

to your excellency for the

appointment to fill the vacancy

as I was appointed by his late

excellency Gov. Bissell to fill

the same office heretofore, and

as I believe gave general satisfaction

I am fully aware it will be

a very trying time and will

require a man of experience

energy and ability to fill the

office at the present time

and for this reason your personal

and political friends anxiously

desire my appointment as

I have been tried, and if I

should be so fortunate as to

merit your excellency's confidence

I shall endeavor to fill the

office with the utmost of

my skill and ability and

shall see that the laws are fully

executed - I am

with respect

your ob't servt

Edward V. Pierce

P.S. - I would respectfully refer

you to Patrick Lang, Marion

Williamson Co; Dr. Owen Bainbridge

Williamson Co; Griffin Garland

Williamson Co; the Judge elect

AD Duff, Benton

E.V.P

E.V. Peirce

asking to be appointed

[Pros?] Atty in place

of Clementson