J. D. Strong to Richard Yates

Jacksonville Illinois

February 22nd 1865

Hon Richd Yates

Dear Sir,

I fear that you will think me a little singular in not having spoken to you personally about a matter that greatly concerns me and my humble hopes. I refrained from doing so because I knew you had been greatly annoyed by many, in importuning your kind offices for them without regarding whether you did yourself justice or not. I therefore abstained from troubling you about myself, hoping that when the Senatorial Contest was over I might find you disengaged a few minutes. So when you came home, I intended to come and lay my case before you, but then I felt that you came home to get rest from the strife for office, and did not think it proper to intrude upon you. Besides Mr. Cassell told me he had laid the whole case before you and that you approved his wishes about my reappointment and that I need not feel anxious about it. Nevertheless I cannot but feel that courtesy

demands that I should not take for granted all that I wish. Such reticence on my part would seem like I waited for you to make the advance to me. You know Governor better than I can tell on paper whether I am true to you and your fortunes or not, and I can illustrate it no better than in repeating what I told Mr. Cassell to say to you, "That if you can secure my reappointment all that I can do or be is at your disposal, and if you can better advance the great interests committed to you by getting some one else appointed, I shall certainly not object or complain," I take this view of it because I am of but small account as compared what you have already attained; still less with what your friends hope you will be, and I claim to be a true but very humble friend of yours.

I earnestly hope I have not intruded upon your time or patience in this, and shall anxiously wait for a good word from you. Pardon me for this very long and badly written letter

Respectfully Your obt servt

J D Strong