Edward P. Kirby to Richard Yates

Jacksonville Ill.

Dec. 1st 1864.

Hon. Richard Yates

Springfield, Ill.

Governor: Allow me to introduce to you Col. G. P. Smith late of the 129th Regt. Ill. Vol.

The Col. has faithfully served his country in the army for nearly two years as Captain, Major and Colonel, retiring only when protracted ill health rendered it indispensible. During the recent political campaign he did good service on the stump, having canvassed the whole of the 12th Senatorial District, with marked ability as the Union nominee for State Senator.

Col. Smith desires to make his home, in the future, in Washington Territory, where his aged mother and a brother now reside, and being limited in finances, desires a Federal appointment as a means of introduction to the new Territory. He thinks the office of Collector of Customs at Port Townsend, though paying but

a small salary, would be desirable

Believing it to be in your power greatly to assist the Colonel, and regarding him as entirely worthy of the distinction, we most respectfully solicit your kind offices in his behalf. By so doing you will place your neighbors and friends, the subscribers, under renewed obligations, who beg to be regarded as your most respectfully.

Edward P. Kirby.

M. P. Ayers

John T. Cassell

A. Benedict

Lews Hatfield

Wesley Mathews

A. C. [Waasmith?]

Mat Stacy

Bailey D. [Dawson?]

B. F. Stenson

Isaac L. Morrison

Rufus Nutting Jr

Wm D. Sanders

Rufus C. Crampton

Samuel Adams.

J D Strong

Martin H Cassell

John W. King

H. B. McClure

Jos. W. King

Hy. E. Dummer.

D. A. Smith.

Jas. Berdan.

Richd R. Randall Rashville

E. J. Ketcham

Jacksonville Ills Jany 18, 1865

His Excellency

President A. Lincoln

Dear Sir

I desire to call your attention to the foregoing letter, signed by Gentlemen whom you will remember as the first citizens of this City. I desire to add that I am personally acquainted with Col. Smith and can bear testimony to his great services & worth both as an officer and as a citizen. He is a gentleman of superior abilities, integrity, industry and energy. and of enlarged influence. He has rendered us in the late canvass great service as Candidate for State Senator by his able and eloquent speeches and at considerable personal expense and sacrifice.

It would be a very gratification to the numerous friends of Col. Smith if the foregoing office could be conferred upon him and I most earnestly hope he may receive your appointment thereto.

Truly Yours

Richd. Yates

O. M. Hatch

late Sec State

Executive Dept

Springfield Ills

Jny 23/65

I cheerfully endorse the wishes of Mr. Smith Late Colonel of the 129th Ills Inftry all that is said of him he deserves

I really hope he may be gratified in his reasonable wishes

respectfully

R. J. Oglesby

Gov