Richard Yates to C. W. Upham

Jacksonville Ills. Nov. 26. 1860

Hon. C. W. Upham.

My Dear Sir.

I thank you for your letter of cordial congratulation. I assure you, I most highly prize the good opinion of yourself and family, and therefore was much delighted at the kind words you were pleased to employ towards me.

I have made speeches in 72 counties of the State - really not caring to have the office of Governor, for while I plead to the weakness (if it be such) of ambition, yet that is not an office to my taste, and I think I neither look, nor feel Governorish, (if I may coin a word). I however desired to be elected upon the principles of the Republican party, which you truly say stands "just where we put it in the Nebraska fight in the 33rd Congress," - My majority is highly gratifying as my vote is several thousand ahead of Lincoln, and I lead the whole ticket. I shall therefore try to show myself as much worthy of such confidence as my

humble efforts will allow.

Our great delight is in the election of Lincoln, and in the high estimate you have formed of him I am sure you have not overrated him. He is as you say "a good, sound, old fashioned Henry Clay Whig". He is a clear and deep thinker, and although so modest as to be retiring, yet I believe will be, and would have been even while unknown to fame, the center of almost any circle of our greatest men into which he might have been thrown. But he is also one of the most loveable of men, a pure hearted and right minded man, gentle as a child and yet brave as old Hickory. I believe Lincoln will conciliate the South without even the slightest concession of principle.

I design going to Washington immediately after the adjournment of our Legislature, which I think will be about the 1st March. I should be happy to meet you there. I know not how much influence I may have with Mr Lincoln, for although for many years warm friends, I have not been with

him much lately. There are two persons, and only two, to whom I have any particular desire places in his cabinet should be tendered, and if you will allow me to be frank, you are one of those persons. I think it probable you desire no such place, and I know that hundreds will desire it, who are not worthy of it. I not only want Mr Lincoln to have able men as his advisers, but above all things, I want men who will be his friends. His, is a place, which will require the offices of true friendship. The evil of the times alas! is the selfishness, the corruption and the duplicity of our men "at the head of affairs".

Please remember me to Mrs Upham. Tell her that I still have the verses on old Chanticleer. Miss Sarah is now a full grown young woman, tell her when she gets married, she must come to the prairie land to try her fortune.

Sincerely Yours

Richd. Yates

Richard Yates

Nov. 26. 1860