J. M. Lucas to Richard Yates

Office of Commissary of Subsistence,

Portsmouth, Va., August 16, 1864.

Dear Yates

I would very much like to be in Illinois during the month of October and up to the day of election. I believe that I could be of some service to our friends politically. If, therefore, you think it advisable it can be affected through you and Dick Oglesby, our candidate for Governor. All that is necessary is for you to make the request in the right quarter. If Genl Butler remains in command of this Department, perhaps, a letter from you to him is all that would be necessary, in fact, I am quite sure that your request would be granted with pleasure. I saw Mr. Arnold just before the close of the late session and he remarked that "I must be sure to be home during the coming canvass." I told him that it were impossible for me to leave without authority. he replied "that you could have it arranged without doubt". Of course, Stanton is all powerful in such matters, but, I think his sun is going down, at all events, it seems to be under a cloud.

Dick, you must be our next Senator, and must have old Morgan with you, and we all know that, it will require the hardest kind of work to redeem her from the thraldom of the "Copper heads", and to assist in this work would be a great pleasure to me, besides, serving friends whom I shall ever hold dear to memory.

As for our old friend "Uncle Abe", I fear that he is loosing ground, the tendency of public sentiment is evidently drifting that way, and unless the current is very quickly checked the result will be disastrous. I hope I am mistaken in the signs of the times, I am well satisfied that, Lincoln is in the hands, or rather, he listens, confers, and in a great measure, conforms to the opinions and suggestions of men, more because of their positions than for their good sense. yet, he may not be to blame, for to do otherwise, would be the exception to the almost universal rule of action with men in high positions. But, in my humble judgment, it is the hidden rock upon which so many have been politically wrecked, and to avoid a fate similar he should tack ship, and stear by other charts!

My kind regards to Mrs. Yates---also to my good friend Judge Berdan & family---not forgetting [Mart?] Cassele.

I should be glad to have an answer to this letter with your opinion as to the proposition of my returning home for the time named.

It may be that, Lincoln himself would aid in the matter? However, that is for you to decide. I must confess that my faith is a little shaky in that quarter---more especially, since he places in the hands of little popinjays and self conceited fancy boys,---questions of political diplomacy that should require the ablest engineering---by men full grown at least.

Rockwell is still with me. I have had two clerks married recently---and I think R. is trapped by a beautiful Virginia damsel

Yours truly

J. M. Lucas

Hon. R. Yates

Governor of Illinois

Springfield

Illinois

Lucas, J. M.

Portsmouth Va.

Aug 16th 1864.

Wishes to come home during the month of October to assist in the political campaign. thinks he could be of service to the Governor. Wishes the Governor to write to Genl Butler and have a permission given him to come to Illinois for that time.

Shaffer Lucas written to

Aug 27th 1864.

Write to Col Shaffer of Butler's staff to bring this about & write Lucas that I shall do all in my power to effect it