Edward I. Eno to Richard Yates

Springfield Nov 21st 1864

Hon Richard Yates

Governor

Dr Sir

I have the honour herewith to submit for your Consideration a plan for the Establishment of an Agency in this City for the relief and protection of Soldiers, their widows, orphans & friends.

The plan I think will commend itself as one very much needed, and will be of vast benefit to a needy and most worthy class of persons. Should an Office be established in Washington, this is just what is wanted to prepare & forward claims, - Each would be an advantage to the other, and between the two it is hoped all honest & worthy claimants will be protected.

Very Respy Your Obt Svt

Edw I. Eno

Plan for Ill State War claim Agency

By Edwd. I Eno.

Springfield Nov 11th 64

with Edward I. Emo letter 11/21/64

Plan for an Illinois State Sanitary War Claim Agency to be Established in Springfield Illinois.

Its Object

1st To secure soldiers & their families any Claims for pensions pay or bounty without cost to the Claimant.

2nd To protect soldiers & their families from imposition and fraud.

3d To give gratuitous advice to Soldiers and their families, who may need it.

To bring the knowledge of the Agency to every claimant I would respectfully suggest to your Excellency that the Aid Societies throughout the State be requested to Act as corespondents and distributors of information. Through them Every claimant can be made acquainted with the Agency and have their claims properly presented.

Fund for Assisting Claimants

I would recommend that if the State make a liberal appropriation for Sanitary purpurposes, that a portion of the money say $10,000 - be set aside and appropriated for the purpose of making advances to realy needy persons; thusly preventing the necessity of selling their Claims at a ruinous sacrifice.

When we consider that a large Majority of Claimants need every dollar due them and actualy suffer or become a charge upon the benevolent for the want of it, the importance of some such provision is at once apparent.

There could be no loss of such a fund for when the claims are collected the amount advanced is deducted.

I have practiced this on a small scale in Nashvill & know its importance.