Joseph K. C. Forrest to Richard Yates

Private

Chicago July 21, 1865.

My dear Governor:

Dana arrived here last night. I saw him today and found him all right in the main question. He told Uncle that my letters were the only things in the paper that had any common sense and an appreciation of the state of the country. He told Uncle that he wanted me here and I have agreed to stay. I will probably be his factotum. He is in favor of amending the constitution, giving all who can read and write, white or black a right to vote. If I remain, which is all but certain, I can do you good here. Dana agrees with all my news and says that my letters greatly interested him. He says if I will write editorials, like my letters it is all he wants.

I thought it would do me good if you were to write him a letter, setting me up, as you know him, and letting him know much good I did the [cause?] and the party during the last five years. I find he had read all my letters and that he and I agree perfectly. There is no [illegible] doubt but

that the paper will be all right for you, and I can do all that I hoped to do for you in it.

With kind regards to Mrs. Yates and family,

Your attached friend,

Jos. K.C. Forest

Hon. Richard Yates

Jacksonville

P.S. I wish you could drop me a line here on any subject you would like touched on, especially relative to late hostilities, or in fact any thing of interest to the people generally.

F.

Tell [Babcock?] to write to Dana also.

F.

JKC

Col. Forrest

Ansd. July 24th - Wrote Dana for him

Ans