John Moore to Richard Yates

Jeffersonville

Wayne Co Ills Nov 6 1862

Honorable

R Yates

Dear Sir

A short time since my Self and two of my neighbours went to Cairo as we understood by invitation of General government and from the contriband agent obtained an order to this provost Martial and obtained his permit to remove from Cairo 7 contrabands which we brot home as we understand under the directions and in Accordance with the wishes of our government thinking that by So doing we were sustaining our government in a legitimaty way and also befriending the negro by taking them a way from their lothsome quarters and also hoping to help our Selves if we could from their Services which Services we stand in great need of as the army has made such a heavy draft on us that we cannot do the work nessary to be done--and the consequence is that in stead of having our corn cut and saved it is literally all lost and and much more than half the amount of wheat put out that would have been had we had the usual amount of help and if we are not permitted to help our Selves by the contrabands and what ever the other help may be offered we will inevetly go down and evry thing else will follow.

But will we be permitted to keep them and be sustained in carrying out the act of government that put us in posession of them is the great and important question to tried (and that Just now) for we are threaned with violence of the most ferocious kind in all forms by the tories cicesionists, Rebels and Sympathize all combined in one does not half way portray their infamy who cling to the constitution and laws of Illinois as the supreme law of the land and will not hear to any thing like paramount athority in general government but damming the goverment the army the people the governors and Evry thing Else that there is in support of our National cause and made men Jubilent by the result of their Success at the recent Elections which will also stiffen the backbone of the Rebellion in the South.

I have endovoured to lay our case before you thus plain and in a brief and simple manner for we no not what hour the mob may be on us and the poor contrabands and implore your immediate interferance in our behalf if it is within your legitamate province. If not lay our case befor goverment for help we must have or be crushed by the vilest Enemies of God and man fear no results for you and General Goverment will be Sustained by all true and genuine union men in regard to contrabands in any and evry legitemate way towards the supression of the Reblion

Write Soon, Yours in cencerity John Moore

Ans Nov. 12 62

John Moore

Jeffersonville

Wayne Co. Nov 6 62

Took some negroes from Cairo to his home, to save his crops. Is threatened by the Secesh. in his neighoorhood. Wants to know if he will be protected.

Apply to proper authorities of his Co.