James T. Tucker to Richard Yates

Headquarters, Department of the Gulf,

New Orleans, Nov. 20 1864.

To His Excellency,

Richard Yates.

Governor of Illinois,

Springfield, Ill.

My Dear Sir,

Allow me to offer you my congratulations now at the close of the campaign in which you have been so earnest a worker, not only upon the complete success and triumph of the Presidential election resulting so gloriously in the reelection of him who may well be called the Liberator, as Washington was called the Founder of the nation. Of him who both in word and deed has given liberty to the slave, and raised the serf to the dignity of a Freeman, and which also promises to secure to us the only possible permanent peace, entire victory over rebels in Arms, and the utter overthrow of men armed to oppose

over

oppose the National Government, but also to strike at the nation's life.

But I also wish to rejoice with You that we have as I make it now Eight republican members of Congress against three Democrats in this congress to come, a result due to nobody's Efforts more than to Your own, who has then the right to be more congratulated than he who in season and out of season has seen only his country first, his state next, himself always last.

In reference to Your own Election to the Senate Governor I am sure that I could be of signal service to you if our papers here could be of any assistance to you as they all recollect you well from your visit here, and I am well known to them all. I enclose herewith a little slip that I put into the "True Delta" of today and could do no more as I had no more facts at hand to work from but this mere paragraph from the Democrat I have written Loomis half a dozen times or more and imagine that my letters must have miscarried in the mail as I have no reply. If how-

ever I can aid you in any way it would be a great pleasure to me to do so.

We are doing our best to carry on our new Free State as You Know from talking to Hahn when here our materials are scarce and few but the constitution passed largely could not well be improved. Two Thirds of the white and voting population of the State were in the convention we secure by it forever unconditional universal Emancipation, that the legislature Shall never in any way recognize property in man, the education of all children white or black. All men black or white equal before the law and all to be enrolled side by side for the public defense and this has been fully ratified by the people, and all recognize it as their own law acquiese in the gradual settling of things upon this basis of freedom and participate in it as actively as these people here ever participated in anything for a want of Energy is one of their weaknesses here. It will be recognized surely by Congress as it has already been fully by the President and with the breaking up or retreat of the rebel strong

hold at Natchitoches we shall then hold the whole state as we do now over three fifths of the wealth and population.

For a while now the Military here are doing all in their power to annoy us General Hurlburt being temporarily in Command, but the State once accepted as back in her old place there will be force and power then to come from here. I shall take the liberty of writing you again, am looking out for all of our Illinois Soldiers to the extent of my power and means, and with the remembrance of Gov Hahn who always asks for you

Am as Ever

Very Truly Yours,

James T. Tucker.

via New York

Tucker Jas. T.

New Orleans Nov 20/64.

Congratulates you on the success in the Election. as you have done so much to achieve that success You are deserving of gratulations.

Eulogises Lincoln & the Govt.

Rejoices in the fact that we have gained Eight Republican members of Congress.

He thinks he can be of signal service to you in a Senatorial way, that is if the papers there can do any good.

He has already put one small slip in the "Delta" which he Encloses.

Speaks of the future bright prospects of their State &c.

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