Allen Tomlin to Richard Yates

Galena 5th Dec 1864

Dear Yates

If Judge Matthew Marvin of Galena is still in Springfield---leave all other employment & see him at once. I enclose you a note of introduction. he is not destitute of sense (like myself) but has an eye to the windward. You will soon see & guage him & see what company he trains with: he has as much if not more influence with Judge Platt our Representative to the State legislature than any other man: he is not overly partial to your quondam friend W. Judge Platt is a man of ample means so that an office merely of emolument would have little influence. I guess I think he is aspiring---perhaps

his eye may be on Congress---or something of this sort. why not then talk over these matters with Judge Marvin---& by the way I imagine that M would not prove inaccessible to the bait of some good position & that might strengthen his labors in your behalf. as you & they, however are all politicians, it is an art of temerity for me to make any suggestions in this direction; All through this region of County between here & Chicago down as far as Rock River it is thrown in our talk; by all parties, nearly, so industriously has your dear friend been, that you are a 'Sot' that you have to be helped upon the platform to speak, &, that at Chicago you had to be held up you was so drunk even when speaking & no longer ago than

today I was in a lawyers office & the conversation turned for a moment on politics & political men & your name was called. when a man who said he was in Springfield last August & there was then two men taking care of & watching you through a fit of delirium Tremens You can see from this, how your name is bandied about---& if true Richard what a deplorable condition you are in & to what a depth you would carry the moral status of the people of Illinois should you be elected & if these reports (let me hope they are the work of an enemy) be true I most earnestly desire your defeat---no matter how brilliant your talents---how great your erudition & past services. a man of intemperate habits is the tool & slave of the

vile & the mercenery & the more noble & generous his nature and disposition so much the more liable is he to become the victim of the base & unprincipled [pandiser?] of vice, crime & sin I know ful well Yates the generosity of your disposition---for I once shared (in time of some trouble & trial) your sympathy & affection & rest assured its memory burns as brightly to night as over thirty years ago; do what you can, will, or may I shall cherish it & you in evry right thought & action whilst life & thought & being last. but I must speak as I think & feel for I can never pander & flatter, & utter flipantly, the things I believe not. Now tell me plainly 'are these things' so. take judge M---to your house & lionise him somewhat. I guess thats the way you folks do such things be like Hannibal of old & hate and so teach your son a worse enmy to man than Rome to Hannibal yrs Allan Tomlin

write

Tomlin Allen

Galena Dec 5th 1864

If Judge Marvin of Galena is in Springfield by all means see him & talk to him. as he is not partial to your Quondam friend W---and has some influence.

Hears reports are in circulations by your opposers---inpugning your personal & private character---That you are a Sot:

If these reports are true notwithstanding his high oppinion of you as an eminent & qualified statesman &c

Wants you to write him on the subject.