John Mackay to Richard Yates

Township of Salem, Carroll Co.

Ills Aug 29th, 1864.

Hon. R. Yates,

Springfield

Dear Sir

I hope you will not consider it presumption in me to write you a letter

My only apology is an earnest desire to our see Institutions hand down to succeeding generations

What we complain of here is that no effort is made in our State to let the brave Boys in the field vote in Nov next

We know the Copperheads vote it down in the last Legislature, but that is denied by the adherents of that party here now

Why not call a Special Session and if they deny our noble fellows the

the right to vote let their names be handed down to future generations as the destroyers of the country- I am not afraid of the people but that they will vote right in this matter if they get the chance

When Such a Copperhead State as New Jersey allows her Soldiers to vote Surely Illinois Should

I know somewhat how arduous your duties are especial at this time but I hope you will have the kindness to reply to this in anywise convenient and

Believe me to be as I

always was your

Republican Friend

John Mackay

Hon. R Yates

Springfield

Ills

Address John Mackey

Mt Carroll

     "  Co Ills

Mackay John

Mt Carroll Ills Aug 29' 64

Wants to know if efforts will be made to have Soldiers vote. Cannot a special session of Legislature be called, and their former decision reconsidered.

Write him have strong hopes that soldiers be allowed to come home to vote - that the call of the Legislature would be disastrous to the State and that as the Constitution requires such voter to vote in his precinct, the only hope is in getting Soldiers home

Ansd Sept 6th 1864