George Phillips to Richard Yates

Journal Office

Chicago

March 6/64

To His Excellency

Governor Yates of Illinois:

    My Dear Sir,  I sent you a letter over four days, or five, ago expecting the biography.  I am Every day More, and More inclined to do it, and feel drawn to it.  I spoke to the only friend I would trust here, on such a Matter, (big?) to the Rev'd Robert Collyer of Unity Church - the big hearted philanthropist the splendid manly speaker & thinker!  (Not the Rev'd Two-penny-worth-of-God-help-him-with-the-cork out, Collier, the Methodist Windbag! - and he advises me by all means to do the work if you can any way arrange to find me a salaried something- to do in the Meanwhile.  He loves you heartily - as I do; and would

like I see a noble portrait of you, in a Noble book. He says, he is sure a hundred thousand copies would be sold! And he is no mean judge. Whether, or no, that is, no matter. But the question is what shall I do? My dear friend, I am absolutely in your hands to command - and as always Yours devoutly,

                                                                  George Phillips.

P.S. I think I can get Luknor & Fields of Boston to publish the book. My Story will be out by that time and the two books can be announced together.

Phillips. Geo L

Chicago.

Mar 6. 1864

~~Private~~

April 1864

Call No.......................

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