M. Pinner to Richard Yates

No. 10. Union Square

New York Aug. 15. 1864.

His Excellency Govr. Yates

Springfield Ill.

Governor---Permit me, a former resident of Chicago, to address you on a subject which may prove of benefit to your State. From the newspapers I learned a few days ago, that you have appointed a Committee to consider the Disposition that should be made of some 48,000 Acres of land your State recently got from Congress, and as there is a possibility of the State locating and taking possession of those lands instead of selling the mere right to locate and take possession of them, I beg leave to draw your attention to the fact that Gustav Struve, the Co-patriot and intimate of Friedrich Hecker has recently established at Coburg in Saxony an office for the sale of lands in the United States. Mr. Struve like friend Hecker esteemed and revered in all Germany, has spent here some 12 years, two of which as a volunteer in the 8th NY. V., and has returned to Europe about a year ago. On account of his well known and well tried honesty, he is just the man to carry on such operations in Europe beneficially to all the parties concerned. Should these 48,000 Acres be first located and then placed at the disposal of Mr. Struve, I have no doubt that

that your State would reap the full benefit therefrom, and that a new and thriving German settlement would soon cover those lands. Mr. Struve has associated with him a man of a similar lofty character Mr. Feodor Streit of Coburg, and as to the character of Struve any prominent German in Ill. can give you the necessary information. Their firm is I believe: Struve & Streit in Coburg, Saxony, and they intend getting low-priced US lands placed at their disposal and sell them for a small commission; the buyer to pay them a small portion of the purchase money, and paying the balance on taking possession of the land and receiving his deed.

As for myself I beg leave to refer you to Judge E. S. Williams and Hon John L. Wilson of Chicago

Where is Col. Hecker and what has become of him? About a year ago I saw him wounded at the house of his brother-in-law Dr. Tiedeman in Philadelphia, and since that time, on account of my absence in Europe I lost sight of him.

I have the honor to be,

Governor

Your

most humble servt.

M. Pinner

P.S. By next Saturday's steamer I'll write to Mr. Struve. Should you honor me with a reply until then, I could transmit its substance.

Pinner. M.

New York.

Aug 16th 1864

Calls the Governor's attention to the fact that Gustav Struve, an intimate friend of Friedrick Hecker, has with Mr. Feodor Streit established in Coburg Saxony an office for the sale of lands in U.S. Suggests that the 48,000 acres of Illinois lands recently submitted to committee for disposition should placed in hands of Mr. Struve.

Aug 25, 64

Ansd. H

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Agriculture & Swamp Lands