William Hobson to Richard Yates

Irving, Montgomery Co Ills Mar 14, 1863

Governor Yates

Dear Sir_

I am quite a stranger to you. Nevertheless I wish to apprise you of a few facts (if you have not already been informed) concerning the state of affairs in this vicinity. Enclosed you will find a copy of resolutions that was passed & adapted at Hillsboro last week, by the So called Democrat party. They met in secret lodge last night in the freight house at the hour of Eleven O'clock. They meet again next Tuesday night. I believe they are determined to resist the Conscription Act, and say (using their own language) "just let you appoint your provost Marshalls & they will be shot quicker than hell." I have been reliably informed that there are about one thousand in Fayette Co now drilling, also some three hundred in Christian Co. So far as my knowledge extends I am of the opinion that there are about two secesh to one union man in this vicinity, I could give the names of the leading individual if it was necessary to do so.

Please, to withold my name from those "secessionist"

Yours Truly Dr. William Hobson

DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING Pursuant to previous notice the Democracy of this county met in mass at the Court House on Tuesday the 10th of March. Notwithstanding the impassable state of the roads, the Court house was jammed full of "copperheads," and a more unanimous feeling all one way we have never seen.

At one o'clock the meeting was called to order, and Thomas A. Gray Esq. was called to the Chair, and John H. Barringer Esq., was appointed Secretary.

A Committee of five consisting of McKenzie Turner, Euston Whitton, John Crabtree, Spartan Grisham and E. A. Austin, were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. When the Committee retired, one universal shout for Vandeveer went up. Hon. H. M. Vandeveer took the stand and for two hours and a half addressed the audience. His remarks were frequently interrupted by loud and continued cheering. When he was through, Hon. Gus. Walker, of Carlinville, was called out and for an hour more entertained the attentive audience. Walker, too, was heartily cheered. The Committee reported the following resolutions which were adopted without a dissenting voice.

Resolved That we heartily approve the Preamble and Resolutions introduced in our State Legislature and which passed the House of Representatives, and commonly known as Peace Resolutions.

Resolved That we view the act of Congress called the Conscription act, as one that is calculated to overthrow the Sovereignty of the States, and the features of which release from the service in the field the the rich and forces the poor to do the fighting.

Resolved That in the opinion of the meeting no war should be waged or prosecuted by any administration under this Government, unless the objects of war have such merits as meets the approval of the Administration at Washington to compel the people of other States, whether the objects of the war meet their approval or condemnation.

Resolved That we believe the people are the source of all power in our system of Government -- and when any administration shall attempt to coerce the people by military force an intimidation to support measures abhorrent to their feelings and against their judgment; it is a struggle between the administration and the people, and in such a contest the will of the people ought to prevail -- but if any Federal Administration shall be strong enough to force the people into the support of odious measures civil liberty is at an end.

On motion, the Secretary was instructed to furnish a copy of the proceedings to the Montgomery County Herald, Litchfield Journal, Chicago Times, and Cincinnati Enquirer, for publication. Thomas A. Gray Clin. Joan H. Barringer Sec;y

NOTE the remainder of the newspaper clippings are not transcribable

Irving March 14, 1863 Enclosed a copy of resolution passed and adopted at Hillsboro last week by the Democracy says they are holding secret meetings and square they will resist the conscript

Received X0 March 14, 1863