Maria Gondy Chapman to Richard Yates

Chicago June 14 1861 -

Hon R. Yates -

Sir -

I take the

liberty of transmitting to you a

statement of facts which need

legal investigations by competent authority.

If ever there was an

aggravating injury to an innocent

female, that case is my own -

And it can be proved, clearly,

and conclusively.

I entreat you to place

this statement in the hand

of the State's Attorney with

full instructions for him

to investigate the charges

as soon as pofsible. You

will doubtlefs enquire why

I do not have my Brother,

William C. Gondy, attend

to this businefs for me.

When I fled from Taylorville

I came to my Brother with

my complaint, but he at once

interdicted my making it

public - therefore, is this long

delay in prefering my complaint

to the States Attorney. Indeed,

this is mine only resort for

obtaining justice:

i confidently rely

on my family friends to sustain

me, when once a legal in

vestigation is commenced. In

justice to William C. Gondy, also,

[illegible] Gondy, and my Son

Edgar Chapman, I must say,

I did not inform them

that I had been ill treated

to the extent I was - I did

not state the whole truth to them.

My state of health has not

allowed me to take any very

decided steps in this matter until

this present time - though if my Brother

William had undertaken the businefs

for me, it would have been

investigated sooner.

I am at my Brother's ([30?]

Pine St. Chicago) and if there

is further communication necefsary

at this time, before commencing

legal investigation, can not

the State's attorney for this

Northern District, be employed

to communicate with myself

on the subject.

I entreat you to give

this matter your immediate

attention.

Respectfully

Maria Gondy Chapman

Mrs M. Gondy

Chapman