M. L. Knight to Richard Yates

M L Knight asking me to make address before Cong. Church answer could not go July 22 1865

Hon Richard Gates I address you on behalf of the Congregational Church of Prairie City- Mc'Donough Co State of Illinois. The above Church is an organization of Loyal Christian people who have in process of auction a new church building which will cost when complete between three and four thousand dollars the Church are back about seven hundred dollars. It has been proposed by the Church to get up a popular Lecture for the benefit

of this Church: The State Association of the Congregational Church will give according to their custom five hundred dollars when that sum will pay off all the indebtedness and will secure to the Church a Title Without incumbrance The Church lack as I have stated about seven hundred with the "five" hundred of clearing the Church of debt and it couldn't be dedicated until the debt is canceled and unless the money is raised there will be danger of loosing the contribution from our association. The Church are not wealthy and have contributed nearly to the extent of their means. They propose to give

the lecture at Galesburg in the [illegible]” Hall under the direction of the 1st and 2nd Congregational Churches of that “[illegible]” and they will kindly consent to cooperate with us to help this people in a worthy cause. The Congregational Church of America are loyal and on the side of universal liberty. Knowing you deserved popularity derived from your achievements in behalf of liberty in in recent struggle of our country for nationality you have been chosen. If the sacrifice would not be to great to deliver a lecture on the occasion. If consistent for you to comply

with this request you can designate the time where you could come & the Churches of Galesburg will give the requisite notice and the people will gladly welcome you our honored son of Illinois to address them on the great issues of our "national “[illegible]”" or any subject you may designate. Your expenses of course the committee will attend to very respectfully yours, M L Knight, Committee of “[illegible]” Church Prairie City July 6th 1865

M L Knight Prairie City, Ill wants you to address Congl Church at their place Answered could not go See endorsement within Porter - enter this Knight upon list for McDonough Co & say opposite to his name (new church) [the capital letter "D" was written in a circle]