Francis E. Eastman to Richard Yates

                                                                  St Louis Mo.
                                                                     May 8, 1864

Hon. Rich'd Yates,

             Sir:  I hear on all hands that the friends of the approaching great fair are indulging in pleasant, and to you flattering, anticipations of your promised visit.  I wish I could stay to witness the opening.
              I have seen and conversed with some leading radicals.  They are thoroughly hostile to Mr. Lincoln.  They hope, first, that Grant will entitle himself to the nomination by decisive victories before the assembling of the Convention.  But what they talk most about is adjourning the

Baltimore Convention to a later day. They know the Committee will not postpone the Convention; but they hope the Convention itself may adjourn to a later day. You have observed that the radicals have issued a call for a State Convention that does not contemplate the election of delegates to Baltimore. Blair is smart, and has called a State convention for the purpose of sending delegates to Baltimore. The radicals see their mistake and are attempting to retrieve it. A leader among them told me yesterday that the Blair men would send delegates committed to Lincoln - while they would send delegates without instructions, but really for some other means. I ventured to suggest that they would

run a great risk - that Lincoln's friends, in case they should control the Convention, which seemed more than probable, would almost certainly under the circumstances admit the Blair men. I was answered: "Our delegates will be admitted, or Lincoln, if nominated, will lose Missouri." I replied that that would not be fatal to Mr. Lincoln, and that the consequences to them would be a place in the opposition and the minority for the next four years. But, they boast of principles, and say they don't care. They certainly care nothing for Fremont, but they say he is good enough to play off against Lincoln.

    I have thought that these hints of facts - if not already

familiar to you - might be of interest to you.

    My wife wishes to be remembered to you and to Mrs. Yates.  Her health is rapidly improving.  We shall take the boat for Quincy tomorrow and thence shall go by rail to Chicago. I have read your proclamations and admire their spirit. 
               
                                                                                       Very respectfully & truly,

                                                                                             Francis A. Eastman