James A. Henderson to Richard Yates

Toulon Ill. Dec 8th 1864

Dear Governor

I Received your kind letter of the 28th ult. a day or two since, but have been unable to reply until today. besides I supposed you had already Received my last assuring you that our Representative Mr Dunn was all right.

I called upon Mr Dunn at once and took the liberty of showing him your letter, and asked him to write to you at his earliest convenience. Which he promised to do. Whether he has written or not, he is all right.

I have observed a dispostion in certain quartes to defeat you if possible in the contest for Senator, but I trust it will amount to but little. The Chicago Tribune I see takes what appears to me to be an opposition ground to your election. You do not live in Chicago. The Tribune is and ever has been an unscrupulous sheet, and can see no good in any man or thing outside the city limits, unless it be black. In their attempts to defeat you they manifest an utter disregard of the voice of the people, for I am well satisfied that nine out of every ten union men voted at least, so far as Representatives were concerned with express reference to your election to the senate. But what right have the people to speak, until they are advised

by that immaculate Journal. And there is time enough for it to tell them how the thing should be, after election. And they should aske no questions before. If they intended to oppose you, why did they not do so before the election. The truth is our people here knew no other candidate as I told you on the Rail Road coming up from Camp Point, and insisted upon pledges in your favor, no one but yourself was thought of and no one should be thought of nor will be when the Legislature come to an election, but yourself if the choice, the clear and unquestionable choice of the people is regarded by the Union Members of that body.

I fear it will be out of my power to be at Springfield at the opening or during the Session, would be glad to go down if I could. but I trust what little influence if any, I could exert will not be needed.

We have a letter from Tom dated Dec 1st, the day after the battle of Franklin, he passed through it safely, says it was the most terrific fight he has ever been in. Hoping to hear from you before as well as often after you go to Washington.

I am sincerely

Your friend

James A. Henderson

Henderson Jas. A.

Toulon Dec 8th 1864.

Has seen Representative Dunn & he is all right. You may rely on him.

Is sorry to see the Tribune coming out in opposition to you. It is always in opposition to any body outside of Chicago.

The people are for you, & through their Representatives will surely elect you.