C. A. Leech to Richard Yates

Private, to be destroyed at once.

Payson, Adams Co. Ill., May 15, 1861

Hon Richard Yates:

Respected Sir: The sentiment of loyalty which pervades every true American heart fills no less those whose profession-the ministerial-forbids them from many efforts. It has occurred to me , as possible, that the safety of our beloved state might be promoted by the visits of men of good powers of observations, to certain localities in the neighboring states, and their reporting to you on their return.

If such or any other service shd be demanded of me, I shd endeavor to render it to the best of my ability.

I am the pastor of the Congregational Chh here, in the prime of life, with a family, and shd not wish to leave my post and home, without urgent necessity, nor to expose myself, unneccessarily, to dangers wh men could be hired to bear as profitably.

But if there were a demand wh I cd meet better than others, I am not aware that any personal consideration would deter me from compliance. I have a liberal and professional education and some degree of readiness in public and private address to strangers. I was bred a Green Mountain farmer in Vermont and like all Vermonters, can walk ride, or drive, and as a traveller can work my way readily among strangers.

I have been much in the habit of [writing?] reports of what I had seen and heard.

My horse is a very short legged, low headed, Vermonter, that could rough it for a week, without flogging, on any feed, and if seasoned to, (she is at grass and fat now) could cross Missouri or Kentucky in three days [swimming?] I think anything required, and yet impressing a secessionist (with a Southern eye) that she was a pony, not worth stealing, and was not much of a traveller.

If desired I could purchase in Quincy-15 miles from here-a tract of land anywhere in Northern Missouri and go and see it.

Or I would go and visit the Mammoth cave in Kentucky or Ashland and be ready to strike across the country to the river if occasion served at any time.

My credit wd be good for the purchase of the land if I were not in [illegible].

I wd lend my horse to any [Vermonter?] for months, gratis, at my own risk for the service of the state, for [illegible] of that sort, after a little notice.

I am ten miles from Hannibal 15 from Quincy. Hannibal is the terminus of a RR wh might at any time, bring a band of border ruffians to our region, who might sross and do great damage and return in a single night. If I were to be used for any such purpose I shd prefer to have had no communication whatever from you or any officer of the army as I shd make bad work telling a lie. But I am slightly known to Rev. H. Hale, and Rev. [Ms?] Brooks and perhaps to Hon [?] Bateman, either of whom cd visit me knowing fully yr wishes and intentions, or could write me on indifferent matters. I go next week to Galesburg to attend the meeting of our Association from the 23rd to the 26th [illegible] and be about three weeks. There [illegible] or anywhere, I am ever, yr most obt servant CA Leach

P.S. Rev E. McMillan, Presn Pastor, at Carlinville is from Tennessee and could probably be sent back there to see things with an observant eye and report after his return, with no suspicion on his own part even that seeing and telling was any part of his business. [Illegible] A. Chesnut might be induced to offer to pay his expenses, in order to have him seek to dirct refugees to C.

A country pastor is usually ready for a vacation at this season if it be suggested and means of enjoying is offered.

The fact of its distance from his ordinary pursuits gives him precious facility in noticing what concerns his country's safety.

Yr most obt Servant, C.A. Leach

P.P.S.

Galesburg May [23?]

Soon after writing the above, I learned that the special occasion for it had passed in the change of movements in the adjoining states,and did not send it, but as it seems to me possible that you may have some occasion for my services I yet forward it to show that for anything I can do I am ready now and ever.

C A Leach