James Berdan to Richard Yates

Jacksonville Ill: February 25th. 1865.

Hon Rich. Yates Dear Sir, I earnestly hope you will exert yourself to procure the appointment of our friend & fellow citizen I.S. Morrison Esq. to be U.S. Attorney for this District. If a change is to be made, (and I think there should be) you can bear witness for yourself, that the government could not find a more able Energetic loyal and faithful man for the office than Morrison, and his appointment would be creditable to the Administration and highly gratifying to [it's?] supporters in the District. I pray you to lose no time in commending the appointment to Mr. Lincoln, at the earliest moment - assuring him, as you can, and I hope will do, that he is one of the most enterprising and industrious gentlemen of our Bar, of high honor and eminent success. Yours very truly Ja. Berdan