A. A. Terrell to Richard Yates

Confidential

A. A. Terrell,

Wholesale and Retail Dealer in

Groceries, Provisions, Stoneware, Willow Ware, Crockery,

Tobacco, Segars,

Candies, Green and Dried Fruits, &c.

Sterling, Ill., Oct 16th 1862

His Excellency

Richard Yates

My Dear Sir

Pardon this intrusion, but it is a matter that interests you.

In the exciting contest for state senator in this District, the whole fight was Yates vs Washburne, and while the Yates men comprise all the honest voting people, yet Post Masters. Revenue officers. and Lawyers. wer opposed to you, and their name is legion, yet with only three or four men to do the hard labor we carried the District for Richards and passed a Resolution pledging to vote for no man who would not support you for United States senator. The sore heads. among the chief of whom is Eustace, have got Van Epperson on the track, and the contest will be exciting and bitter. Mr Richards & myself intend to canvass the District

thoroughly. and in order to do this some money must be expended.

Mr Richards has already spent liberally, and is not able to wage the canvass unaided and I have agreed to aid him, to the bitter end.

If you feel any interest in the matter, and know of any way we can be assisted we trust you will remember us. If we had the Profits of good fedral offices to fall back on, we would welcome the contest, but as this is not so, we must depend upon ourselves.

Washburne pledged me an appointment under the Brown Law, but alas, how uncertain is the pledge of Politicians.

We know that our noble Governor will not forget his friends, should there be any favors to distribute.

For your kindness in appointing me Drafting Commissioner. please accept my heartfelt thanks, and I am proud to know that there will

be no occassion for our services, thanks to our able and worthy Governor.

I will keep you posted as the campaign progresses.

Let me hear from you if it is not too much trouble.

Thanking God that we have a Lincoln at Washington and a Yates at Springfield I remain

Your Friend

A. A. Terrell

A. A. Terrell

Sterling Oct 16

Private - Senatorial - Washburne vs. Yates. (Some funds needed.)