Clark E. Carr to Richard Yates

(Confidencial)

Galesburg Ill

Feby 15th 1863

Dear Governor

We are expecting you up here some time this week as you promised to come Mr and Mrs Dunn write in requesting you to come - should you do so and I beg of you that you will you will be entertained as well as possible in a great place like this I hope that you will have started before this reaches your Henry would I think like the school here and it is just such a quiet place as boys of his age ought to be educated in

The condition of this State is very alarming - Unwise men on all sides of the political questions seem to be doing all in their power to stir up the people to achieve

Civil War - I think that there is great danger - From my acquaintance with you you must know that I am not an alarmist - I am not disposed to cry out until there is some real danger - I believe that the time of danger has really come - I hope and pray that it is not so and that I am mistaken but my convictions are so strong that I now beg of you to have placed in some way in your own hands such power as will enable you as the Executive to immediately suppress any insurrection to punish or disobedience of the laws in the most [illegible] manner - I am told there is a county adjoining this (and I get my information from a reliable source) that several hundred men assembled armed to the teeth as if by no previous concert. and drove the negroes out of the county seat - secret meetings are being held all over this section of country --- of course

the negroes have no right here under our laws and of course the people have a right to have secret meetings and to bear arms and I would be the last one to question these rights but this action proved something It proved that there is organization and concerted [action?] - The negroes if to be driven out should be driven out by prosecution and under the laws - The fact of organization and that arms are in the hands of these men who propose to forcibly compel the government to recognize the rebels is sufficient to convince me that there is danger I do not wish to be understood to attribute the wrong to any one political party - I believe that it is necessary that something be done Do not understand that I think these extreme measures should be used against persons who do not commit serious overt acts or who do not forcibly seek to resist the government or get up an insurrection - can you not lay the whole facts before the authorities at Washington or Genl Wright. and prepare yourself for emergency immediately - Please excuse me for saying so much. I know that this subject has not been overlooked by you cherishing as I know you do so much affection for our noble state and for our whole country. Please excuse me for saying so much.

Truly your friend, Clark E. Carr

Clark E Carr

Galesburgh Feby 15th 1863

Hopes the Gov will not fail to visit his place, says they will try to entertain him in good style. Thinks the school there a good place for Henry, and refers to the present political state of affairs in his portion of the state.

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