William S. Pope to Richard Yates

St. Louis Mo July 22nd 1865

Hon Richd (sic) Yates U.S. Senator Ill

My Dear Friend:

I have the honor to acknowledge your kind letter and endorsement of some time ago.

Of course you are not under obligation to do more for me as you have been of great service to me already.

I must, however, succeed in one or other of my ideas - I know there will be a press for the Regular Army - and the man who "presses" hardest or was most friendly -- or the -- heaviest ones, will win -- I am waiting quietly have done nothing further with that letter.

But, if opportunity offers I am going on -- -- if I succeed not in this, I propose to go to Congress, at some time myself, and have the handling of some of those things for the benefit of "my constituents".

I am frequently applied to for "letters" to you. I will trouble you that way as little as possible --

My friend -- like you, I propose to be "irrepressible" -- you lose on the platform that once let you fall -- If I fall now, anon I will rise again -- the vexing years of life are mine -- in which, I labor, and to win a worthy reputation and reward.

I feel somewhat disgraced in my own eyes, to ask, a place or favor for a place -- at the hands of any -- But I know you will not write me on the list of mere patronises for place.

It is rather the way of the world. Places must be filled -- I would be worthy -- called for by the place --

But such is not now the style. But, [illegible] -- Farewell

Yours truly Wm S Pope