Jesse M. Fell to Richard Yates

Don't be detered from its length from reading this

Bloomington

Feb. 28th 1865

Hon Richd Yates

Dear Sir

I am not in the habit of inflicting upon my readers long buisness letters, but understanding that you have committed yourself in favor of the appointment of Col. Brisco as P.M. of this place, I feel like departing from my habit of short letters. To begin with, however, I don't believe you have so committed yourself, irrespective of the wishes of your friends of this City & have just so affirmed the present incumbant, Wm. Allin.

I profess to know something about public sentiment of the place in reference to Wm Allin's administration of the office and the desire of the people for his retention, and, So far as I know, I do assure you, that about all our political friends, especially as among those favorable to your election to the Senate, are for Wm Allin against the world, for this position. And there are good reasons why this should be the case.

1st He is a Son of the Father of the City & County The Hon. Jas. Allin, formerly of the State Senate, & is the only one of the family that has ever recd any official favors.

2nd He is a cripple & physically disqualified from getting a living by Manual labor, and has not the means to engage in his old buisness, Merchandizing. By a partnership years ago, he suffered great losses.

3rd His eminent fitness for the position. Of high moral worth, integrity above suspicion, accommodating to a fault, he has drawn around him a host of friends, that no other man can to the same extent, I am quite sure.

4th His long continued & meritorious Servises politically, first in the Old Whig Party, then in the (Radical) Repubican and recently in the Union party. For four years he has been chairman of the County Central Com. and has done about all the labors of that Committee. For the last 4 years he has performed more political labor, and, in proportion to his means, has spent more money five times over, than any man in the County. I need not say, he has ever been one of your warmest friends and admirers. Where the late remonstrance against you was started in this place, he circulated the petition for you.

I will not further tax your patience by assigning reasons why he should be continued, but to show you how popular he is in this community will state the circumstances attending his appointment 4 years ago. In the Contest of 1860 Capt S. B. Brown was Chairman of the Central Com. & Capt of the "Wide-awakes," & being a good man & an old citizen of a popular [turn?]made many friends. Nearly all the Lawyers of the place, including Judge Davis, Swett, [Orme?] and Gridley, joined in efforts to have him appointed P. M. in which they were seconded by a large petition of business men and others. On the 4th of March he, and many of his friends, including Judge Davis went on to Washington and the prospect for our friend Allin looked dark. Concious that he (Allin) was the choice of our people I advised the informal election, the result of

which was on a full turnout-about five-sixths in his favor. With the poll-books of this election I went on to Washington, and secured his appointment. Judge Davis, Swett & others, to the Contrary, notwithstanding.

It may not be amiss to say, that Judge Davis is now in favor of the reappointment of Wm. Allin & in a letter to Lincoln, has strongly recommended him.

Of Col. Brisco, I have not a word to say to his prejudice. He is a good man, and when Govr Oglesbe, appointed him Comd of the Penitentiary, I commended the appointment. I regret that he has made a move in the wrong direction, in doing which, I have good reason to believe he is influenced by the over-persuasions of Genl Gridley, who is influenced solely by monied considerations in this matter. He wants the Office moved from the Public Square, back to the Street he is on, in which he has quite a number of business houses. He has tried in vain to induce W.Allin to so change the location of the Office, & hence his opposition. Up to within 3 weeks of the elections, and extending back for 4 years, Gridley had done not a thing, (nor contributed a dollar, in aid of our cause; and how much influence, the removal of the P.O. had in inducing his spasmodic effort, just on the eve of the election he & his God only, knows.

Our immediate Rep. Wm Cullum, is in favor of Wm Allin, and in conclusion allow me to send through you, to the President, the enclosed letter, which you will please read.

For inflicting so long a letter upon you I shall plead the great interest I feel in this matter, in reference to which I would thank you to drop me a line.

I shall write briefly to Senator Trumbull referring him to you for further particulars. If he desires it, Show him this letter.

Very Respectfully

Yours

Jesse M. Fell

P.S. Will you tell [Kersey?] (who is now with you, as I suppose) of this opposition to Allin. The move is a quiet one, but we are quite sure it is [making?]. As you value the wishes of this place, I trust you will oppose it.

I fully concur in the above letter of Mr. Fell

E. M. Prince

E. M. Prince

Bloomington

as to P. Office