Jay Babcock to Richard Yates

Tremont House

Chicago Illinois Nov 4th 1862

Governor Yates

Dear Sir,

I learned your arrival here, listened to your Speech last evening, & called to see you this A.M. Your Engagements the Clerk told me prevented an interview My object in seeing you was the "Old Story, or petition," for place to learn if it were not in your power to assist me to some position by which I might obtain an honest & respectable livelihood for my family & self. You know, and all acquainted know, that less competent have been favored, men who have expended nothing, while I have expended all, to advance the interests of Our Country

Judge Parks of Aurora informed me that he had flattering prospects of a good position

If there be anything in the way of a position in the Pay Dept. that I might succeed in obtaining, please be Kind enough to inform me. Without any expression of egotism it seems as though I were possessed of sufficient intelligence and had expended sufficient, in the raising of men directly, & indirectly to guarantee me a position, to say the least, where I might receive a sufficient salary, or pay, to give to my family, a decent support. It would take 2 years to reinstate myself in business, as previous to the War Consequently I petition, if in your power, for some place by

which I may secure immediate help for them

The day of Election has come, & will soon be over, when I hope, in the name of Heaven, partisan feelings will be carried to a tomb from which they shall not be resurrected, until the last trump of Rebellion has sounded & Peace & quiet & National & Social prosperity be restorded to the land

If Politicians desire a prolongation of this War they can have it for a time. But I tell you Governor Yates, the People, are daily & hourly arming themselves with a weapon which will one day fall with destructive force upon the heads of all intriguing, dishonest & deceptive Politicians. That weapon is intelligence They are informing themselves, that they are the Masters & their Representatives, the Servants. And the time is not far distant when a recognition of this fact will be forced with killing weight upon the Partisan Representatives of our Country

There is but one successful mode of destroying the Rebellion, & restoring Peace. That mode is A Unity of Action, and an Honesty of purpose on the part of loyal men. In order to have this Parties must die, or be suspended, until the finale of these internal troubles

If you desire to address me at the Tremont House

I Remain ever your friend & Servt

Dr Jay Babcock

Dr. Jay Babcock

Chicago, Nov. 4, 62

Wants some appointment; politics &c. &c.

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