James Fishback to Richard Yates

Washington D.C.

Decr 23rd 1864,

Gov. Yates

Washburne's friends here are boastful and bitter, boastful, (as they claim,) of Washburnes certain election, and bitter in their denunciation of you. The more intimate the friend to Washburne, the more bitter the denunciation of you.

In Hotels, in Saloons, on the streets; in public and in private they pour forth their vials of wrath upon your head; charging you with being unfited for a seat in the United States Senate on account of your habits. as they charge.

I felt that it was due to you that you should be informed of the course these men were taking to damage your prospects for the senate, and your fair name, your glorious name, which you have achieved by trancendent ability and patriotism.

I am Governor

Your friend &

Obt. Sert.

James Fishback

Fishback James

Washington Dec. 22/64

The Washburne men there are loud in their boasts of his election and in their denunciation of you.

J. Fishback