S. L. Spink to Richard Yates

(Copy)

State of Illinois

Sangamon Co

SS

The affiant S.L. Spink deposes

and says that he is a member of the House of

Representatives of the State of Illinois in the 24th

General Assembly from the 39th Representative

District; that on the 4th Day of Jan'y 1865

about one hour before the assembling of the

legislative caucus for the nomination of a

Candidate for United States Senator he,

the said S.L. Spink met Hon EB Washburne

at his rooms at the St. Nicholas Hotel in

the City of Springfield, by the request of

said Washburne, and that said Wash

burne then and there exhibited a list

as he claimed of the names of the friends

of Governor Yates for the position of United

States Senator, numbering thirty three (33)

being a majority of two (2) of the whole

number of Union Senators and Representa

tives in the 24th General Assembly;

that said Washburne then informed the

Affiant that it was in his power to

prevent the nomination or Election

of Gov'r Yates, that as the vote was to be

by ballot nobody would be the wiser

and that if he, affiant, would vote for

him Washburne, instead of Yates he, the

said affiant should have the position

of United States Judge in one of the

territories, or Paymaster, Quartermaster

or Commissary in the army, as he

might select, and that the appointment

should be made by the time of the close of

the present session of the legislature;

that there should be no mistake in this matter,

giving affiant to understand that he,

Washburne, had control of the patronage

of the General Government for the purpose

of securing his election to the position

of United States Senator; and further

affiant Saith not.

(signed) S. L. Spink

Subscribed and sworn to before me this

7th Day of Jan'y 1865

(signed) L. B. Adams Seal

Notary Public

Spink's Affidavit