E. P. Ferry to Richard Yates

Waukegan March 3rd

My Dear Gov.

Last Friday I read a letter from you. And I sat up in bed and answered it. I fear you did not get it before leaving home.

The Journal of last evening announced that you Was in Chicago En route for Washington. This Morning I telegraphed you. And recd reply from the operator. That you had left. I intended to go to Chicago to report to see you. And Was Much disappointed to learn that you had gone.

I was very anxious to see you in relation to Genl MClernand. He relies upon you to appoint him. He thinks that Grant has [violated?] the order of Prest in depriving him of the Command of the Expedition.

Although second in Command he is a mere cipher. He has been appointed by Grant to the smallest corps of the army numbering less than 3,000 & the duty imposed upon him of guarding the Miss river from [Nulina?] to Vicksburg thus actually Making a mere police officer of him. With no opportunity of distinction for active service.

You will at once perceive that it is a very different position from that he supposed he would occupy and he feels keenly the disgrace.

{Wallich?] is at the bottom of the Whole Matter. And Grant is Willing & Anxious to snub MClernand. & drive him out of the service. Some men could submit to it. MClernand cannot. He is too ambitious, too desirous of distinction and applause, too anxious to "shine", and Consequently chafes terribly [illegible] his disappointment. His Motto is "Out Caesar Out [Vulturs?]. and he threatens to resign unless he is reinstated in command.

It is decidedly for our interest that he should have the Command of the Expedition or some other [illegible] command. not out of the [cotton?] regions. Grant will Extend favors to us occasionally, but although the parties have got the inside track with him and will expect it. With MClernand we can do anything. Grant is a candidate for the Presidency. A clique in Washington at the head of Whom is E B Washburne is now fittlng him for the course.

Grant denies this emphatically but my opinion is based principally upon Conversations Which I had with Grant. If the Movement is successful Washburne is to to be secy of state if Lincoln is a candidate for reelection. Cant you use this with him?

I am rejoiced to [perceive?] the overwhelming manifestations of the army, & of the people at home in your favor. At Every public Meeting in the state or in the army. Language is exhausted to find words strong enough to express the feelings of admiration and confidence of the people & army towards him noble hearted Governor.

The resolutions adopted at these meetings express the genuine & spontaneous feelings of the people & army & if you had ever so much vanity. I am sure it must long before this have been fully satiated. Those manifestations must be particularly gratifying to you When you recollect. That you have received more of them than all the other Governors of the Union Combined

If you Experience half as Much pleasure from them as I do you are a happy Man.

For fear that your aid not got my letter of last Friday I will briefly state the [essence?] of our trip down the river. We found no opening for cotton at Vicksburg. I obtained from General Grant a permit allowing N B Tayler to take his stock of goods from Memphis to Vicksburg & sell to [Suttlers] & officers.

The amt of the stock Was Not specified. Taylor returned with me to Memphis. I left him there. I was then quite sick. in fact unable to sit up. I returned home. I have recd only One letter from Taylor. He had not yet left Memphis. Consequently I know nothing of the final result. I dont think that any other permit was paid by Grant to any man. I know that hundreds of thousands of dollars of goods were waiting at Memphis to be shipped to Vicksburg but no permit could be obtained for a dollar [illegible]. I am satisfied that Grant paid the permit Exclusively on your account.

The [best?] [Mres?] Taylor said to Mr Frese "Say to the Governor I will make $10,000 apiece for us this trip." If it is half that amt I shall be satisfied

Write me if you have leisure. I shall go to Springfield the 15th if I can do anything there for you, Command me.

Being truly Your friend E. P. Ferry

E.P. Ferry. Waukegan, March 3,'63

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