Affadavit of Washington Bushnell

State of Illinois Sangamon County SS

And now comes Washington Bushnell who being first duly sworn according to law on oath doth depose and say that this affiant is one of the State Senators in and for said State. That during Wednesday the 4th day January in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred and Sixty-five (1865) this affiant was approached by two different persons on different times upon the question of United States Senator; that one of said persons asked me "What do you want Bushnell? help us, and we will help you" My reply was, "I have pledged my support to Richd Yates upon this question and shall never retract it"; that a paper was Exhibited by the other person purporting to be release of several persons to any place which I might desire, and the remark made. "I have it here Bushnell in black and white." This affiant does not now remember what reply this affiant made to said remark, but very soon after, the said person presented a slip of paper upon which as near as this affiant can now recollect, were the following words and figures to wit "$5000 in addition, if you do what we think you can"; that the reply of this affiant was, as near as this affiant can now remember, "It is in vain. my mind is unalterably fixed" This

(over)

Affiant further says in justice to certain parties, which affiant does not wish to name, that the name of no person was mentioned as being the Author of said proposition; that this Affidavit is made with extreme reluctance on my part, and only upon strong and urgent solicitations of personal friends, and further this affiant saith not.

(Signed) W Bushnell

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th Day of January AD1865.

(signed) Wm A Turney 

Clerk Supreme Court.

Affidavit of W Bushnell