N. G. F. Stephens to Richard Yates

Jacksonville, 16th Jan. 1863

His Excellency R. Yates

Governor of Illinois

May it please your Excellency!

I was employed at the State House forty days, for which I was liberally remunerated. Anticipating a longer term of service in Springfield, I, on the strength of credit obtained here, supplied my family with clothing & other measures of which they stood greatly in need; the bills these created, absorbed very nearly the whole amount received in Springfield. No one, I think, will accuse me of extravagance in my family, when I state that my wife is deferred, from the want of clothing, of the privilege of attending church on Sabbath days, and that both she and myself frequently rise from our table suffering from hunger in order that our children my have a sufficiency of the plainest & coarsest fare. Our butcher's bill for the last twelve months, has not reached $30; in fact, meat is a luxury we seldom enjoy. Before you left Springfield for Washington, you promised me employment which would occupy me four weeks. Your kindness I fully appreciate, & sincerely hope

that I may yet have an opportunity of evincing my gratitude.

My wife's relatives on Apple Creek are very numerous & influential. They are all Democrat. Thirteen of these cast their votes for you at the November election before the last. And the majority of them, last fall, gave Squire Stacy their votes, with a view to serving me. When George Deatherage, a near relation of my wife's, heard that you had given me employment at Springfield, he observed, in my presence, that "Dick Yates was safe for the votes of one third of the Democracy on Apple Creek at any future elections."

I do not recount these matters for the purpose of endeavoring to bribe you to do something for the relief of my family, but to show you that my wife's relatives are grateful for favors shown her. I believe if you had it in your power you would not suffer us to want; but I am aware that others, besides, have claims on your friendship. As I cannot witness the sufferings of my nine children, with stoicism, I must make one more effort for their relief. I must again solicit Mr. Seward for some subordinate situation in some distant land, which no other person would court; & to enable me to do this, I should feel much obliged if you would return me the memorial, or rather recommendation letter signed by some of the elite of our citizens. Some weeks since a gentleman from Kansas (who gave me his address,) recommended me to apply for

a land-office in that State, but Mr. Berdan thinks there would be insurmountable obstacles in the way. I have made efforts to obtain the Secretaryship to some of our military men, but find I am too late.

With the hope of hearing from you at your earliest leisure, & with most respectful compliments to your truly estimable lady,

I subscribe myself,

Your Excellency's obedt. Servt.

N.G.F. Stephens.

N. G. F. Stephens

Jacksonville Jany 16

Attended too!

Please look up the paper referred to in [illegible] written & write a strong letter & return to Mr S with the papers