George L. Phillips to Richard Yates

Reeds' Temple of Music

April 1st/64

Chicago

To his Excellency Governor Yates,

My Dear Sir,

If you have returned to Springfield as I suppose you may have done by this time, will you send me as soon as possible the papers, letters, & documents which you have completed as materials for the Biography? Either be so good as do this, or, what I should much better prefer, let one of the gentlemen of your staff come over here with them at once, and give me such notes from his own lips as I can make use of in the memoir. Mr. Loomis was good enough to say he would probably bring them but either of the two excellent good fellows I met with you, at the Tremont will do. There is no more time to be lost---not a day; and

P.S. If your officers are all busy I will come over at once.

My belief is that a very large sum will be made out of the [Laterno?] besides or rather without reckoning its political value.

I feel sure Ticknor & Fields of Boston will publish the memoir and I should like to do myself the honor of dedicating my forthcoming book to you, if you will allow me. It will have a wide circulation---will be printed, intact, both here and in England and will be out before the memoir of you can be got ready.

These are weighty considerations---all but my dedication offer---and I want to begin my work. Be sure I will give you a book of which you need not be ashamed.

Ever yours most truly,

Geo. L. Phillips

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Phillips, Geo L.

Chicago

April 1, 1864

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