E. P. Ferry to Richard Yates

Office U. S. Direct Tax Commissioners,

District of Tennessee

Nashville, Tenn., June 8th 1865

My Dear Governor

A letter has been written to President Johnson, as I am informed, Signed by a few individuals here, requesting that the Tax Comissioners in my state be removed & that Citizens of Tennessee be appointed in their places. Will you therefore have the kindness to call on the President & say a word in my behalf. A word from you will I think be sufficient

Before calling on the President please call on Judge Lewis who will inform you whether

or not I would be removed & whether the duties of my office have been performed faithfully Energetically & honestly & to his entire satisfaction

If however the President concludes to remove us & appoint Tennessians then Governor I rely upon you to procure me another appointment.

I know that you have done a great deal for me. My obligations to you are more than I can ever repay & yet I ask this additional favor believing that you can & will grant it.

I have held this office only eighteen months; My business at home is all broken up

I have saved very little above

my salary. At Memphis I made a little money. but for the past year have not made one cent other than my salary. During the present year if I remained here I think I could make some money. If however I was to be removed from here then a District Judgeship in one of the Southern States or in one of the Territories would suit me precisely. If one of these could not be obtained then I would be glad of a position at Washington. You know what I am qualified for & what would suit me.

I am perfectly satisfied that you can induce the President

instead of removing me to transfer me to some other & possibly better place.

Please consult with Judge Lewis about this. He will I presume give you a letter to the President in my behalf if you think it necessary.

If I was at Washington in an official position, I might be able to render you material service before the next Presidential Election.

You ought to have some one person there who could & would make it his specialty, to advance your interests With Newspaper reporters & others

June 8 1865

from all parts of the country

constantly & assiduously from this time onward

Whether I am capable of doing this, you must judge.

I take it for granted that your ambition is not yet satisfied & that your motto is still "Excelsior" I sincerely hope that your wishes will be gratified in the future.

Please let me hear from you as soon as possible, by telegraph if necessary.

Very Truly

Your friend

E. P. Ferry

Col E P Ferry

Ans I wrote Judge Lewis

June 19, 1865

to see Johnson for his (Fs) retention