Richard Yates to J. J. McCrawley

Copy

Springfield August 10th 1861

J.J. McCawley, Esg.

Clay City, Ill.

Dear Sir,

In reply to your favor of the 9th instant I would say that I have no knowledge of the Mr. [Creamer?] to whom you refer and have given him no orders to arm or disarm any party of your community but I will not disguise the fact that having received reliable information that bands of disloyal men have made unlawful [combinations?] and formed secret organizations with the avowed purpose of subverting the Government of the United States; I have taken measures to furnish good reliable men with arms and ammunition with which to protect the friends of the Union against the unprovoked assaults which have been made upon them on account of their loyalty to the best government the world ever saw.

This infamous rebellion must be put down, the supremacy of law must be maintained and to this end the most

(over)

vigorous measures must be used against traitors abroad and at home and abroad, those in our midst being by far the most formidable.

Your respectfully,

Richd Yates

Governor.

Copy of letter to J. J. McCawley

Clay City

J.J. McCawley

Aug 1861