Joseph Peters to Unknown

State of Illinois

Sangamon County

[pensaually?] appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths under and by virtue of the laws of said state of Illinois Joseph Peters a Senator in the legislature of said state who an oath deposes and says that on the morning of the 31st dat of December A.D. 1864 in the city of Springfield in said county he met the "[Hon C. B.?]" Washburn who said to this [officient?] he had some considerations to present to this [officient?] on the Senatorial question that he thought worthy of my consideration. this [officient?] replied he would hear at some future time what he had to say and afterwards on the evening of the fist or second day of January 1865 this [officient?] again met said Washburn at the St. Nicholas holet in said city of Springfield and upon the request of said washburn this [officient?] went with said Washburn to his [illegible] in said hotel and while in said [illegible] said Washburn said to this [officient?] "as you have been in the army I thought you might like some position again in

the army" this [officient?] remarked to said Washburn as my health had greatly improved while in the army I would like some position that would give me more exercise than my business now gave me. Mr Washburn then remarked that it is legitimate for men to help one another and if I would vote or go for him for Senator that he held or controlled a commission as paymaster int he army and that I should have it before I left the city and that if Gen. Grant was successful in putting down this Rebellion which he had no doubt he would be that Gen. Grant would be the next president after Mr Lincoln and from his friendship will him he would be able to controle the patronage of the government as to appointments in this state under Grants administration and of course he should help those + their friends who help him. and afterwards on the 4th day of January 1865 this [officient?] was in the Secretary of States office and a gentleman who was advocating the election of the Hon. E. B. Washburn to the Senate of the

United States said to this [officient?] "g. would like to see you a short time" and he and this [officient?] steped out of said office into the hall and while out there he said "I would rather than a Thousand Dollars have Washburn Elected Senator and it will probably take but one or two votes to elect him and I presume you will vote by ballot and no one will know how any one voted if you will vote for Washburn and he is nominated I have a Thousand Dollars at your [illegible] in the morning and you know what has been said to you by others, and further their [illegible] saith not

Joseph Peters

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 17th day of January A.D. 1865

L. B. Adams

Notary Public