J. Y. Cory to Richard Yates

Confidential

Office of the Waukegan Weekly Gazette,

James Y. Cory, Editor and Prop'r.

Waukegan, Ill. Dec 7th 1864

My Dear Gov.

Our mutual friend Geo. S. Baugs of the Aruna Beacon, as you are aware, paid me a visit on Friday last. in relation to matters personal to you. and from him, you have heard of the uncertainty of our Represitive E.B. Payne. For some reason, the young man is very non-committal. it is next to impossible to get an opinion or Expression out of him. I am of the opinion that he has been tampered with by his master E. M. Haines. who I am afraid is playing pup with you, after all his protestations of friendship and notwithstanding all the obligations he is under

to you. I tell you, Governer, the indian was not far from right when he said, "White man, mighty onsartin." I had my fears, & so had others of your friends here, that Haines would throw you when the time came that he could serve you. I am not sure of course that he is working against you now. but I hear he is for Washburne, in which case he cannot be for you. But whether he is trying to make capital against you, I cannot say, but I suspect as much. At all events he is doing nothing to help you along, as he was in duty bound to do. Therefore it is well Enough to count on his influence as with the opposition or "Combination."

I am taking occasion to labor daily with Payne. I

am determined to impress upon his mind that it will be largely for his interest to stick to you come will, and I do not let an occasion slip when there is an opportunity of urging your claims and the importance of his carrying out the wishes of the people in relation to this matter of Senator. This, he says, he desires to do & will do. It shall therefore be my constant aim to impress upon his mind that the people of this County are for you, and not for Mr. Washburne.

Washburne, you know, has many warm and strong friends here, yet, for all that, I do not think the feeling prevails that you should be set aside, even for him, and if I can make him, Payne, think so I am inclined to

believe he will go straight yet. You may rest assured that I will "exhaust all my statesmanship" to make & keep him right, and if, in the sequel he turns against us, it shall not be my fault. He tells me he has received letters from you & a quantity of your Chicago Speech in pamphlet form. These he is sending out to his friends throughout the County. I noticed some of them going thru the P.O today. This does not look bad, to say the least. I am in hopes that the [illegible] is working & to a good purpose upon him. I will keep a close watch upon him & write you again, if any new developments present themselves.

If you can do anything for my friend Col. Strunet as indicated in my accompanying letter, I would feel thankful.

Sincerely your friend J. Y. Cory

Cory J. Y

Waukegan Dec 7th 1864

I referrence to the position of Payne.

Thinks he has been tampered with by his Master E. M. Haines who is playing pup with you.

He will labor with Payne constantly & endeavor to bring him out all right.