William T. Hopkins to Richard Yates

Morris July 26th 1865

My Dear Govenor,

I suspect that upon your suggestion, Mr. Lincoln sent my name to the department of Internal Revenue for the appointment of Assessor for this district at all event some kind friend of mine must have done so, for the commissioner wrote Mr. Cook that that my name had been sent there by Mr. Lincoln, and that it must be noticed. Now an effort is being made to defeat me. Will you be so kind as to write to the department and suggest my claim, if, I have any, and insist on Mr. Lincoln's appointment being carried out. I have no doubt that a letter from you will settle the matter. You might suggest that I was one of the Electors in the last election, &c.

By giving this matter your early attention you will very much oblige me.

I do not know who suggested my name to Mr. Lincoln unless it was yourself.

There is another matter in which I desire your aid. My friend Mr. Alexander Miller, and, by the way, a warm and influential of yours, got into some trouble in relation to the circulation of some postal currency, drawn into it by the detective without really having been guilty of any wrong. He was arrested and confined in old Capitol Prison. I went to Washington and procured his release. The Detectives got after him again, and had him arrested upon the same old charge. Mr. Miller is not in prison now, he is on bail on these charges. Now I will say first that I have known Mr. Miller intimately during the last ten years. And I unhesitatingly say that a more honorable upright man did not live in this community. He is a man of wealth and influence, is true blue Union

to the core. Always ready to put his hand to the bottom of his pocket for the good cause, was my best [bower?] in the election last fall and on the election of Gov. Yates to the U. S. Senate last winter, sent the dispatch, "Grundy County to her Representative, Greeting, well done good & faithful servant, all hail! Dick Yates".

He is right and an honest man. Now Govenor I simply want a strong letter from you to Secty Stanton Andy Johnson or any other man of influence there, suggesting the justice of advising Mr. Bass to enter a nolle in his case. Bass will do so on receiving such a suggestion from Washington. I am going there so a letter from you will very much aid me. I must succeed, for I cannot see so noble a man as Aleck Miller sacrificed by a set of cursed detectives. Please write as early as possible and oblige

Your true friend W. T Hopkins

Wm. T. Hopkins

Aug 5 1865 Wrote & sent him a letter to McCollough for him & to Sec. of War for Miller