Alfred Perry to Richard Yates

Geneseo Dec '21' 1864

Hon Richd Yates

Dr Sir

Yrs of the 12th came duly to hand with enclosures for which please except the thanks of the young ladies they highly prize the photogs. A short time after the recpt of yrs, I think first or second mail, a letter from our representative Mr Ford addressed to some half a dozen of our neighbors including myself, but superscribed to Mr [Drun?] who probably is better acquainted with Ford than others, was shown by [Drun?] to the rest of us - by the way [Drun?] has been talking Washburns party strong & we were somewhat fearful of his influence through acquaintance with Ford. It had also been hinted that [Drun?] was influenced by

by Capt Allen our Provost-Marshall who is reported opposed to you this is Confidential & I [would?] say it on my own responsibility without better authority than I have the question with us has to get along without any opposition to a full & open expression in your favor knowing that strong influences were being brought to bear in favor of other candidates. By the way the purport of Fords letter was an expression of opinion from his Constituents stating he had recd letters from the 4 candidates, that he had replied to all stating that he should go to Springfield untrammelled & then try to do for the best as he wished the expression. We concluded to call a meeting inviting not only those addressed but a goodly number of others & some from other towns North & South of us - organized by placing Mr [Drun?] in the Chair & moving that Chair appoint a committee of three on resolutions which he did to our satisfaction we having

the resolutions ready in the hands of one of his committee, while out it was suggested that we vote by ballot each one to prepare his own for his choice without any consultations the result was Every ballot but one was for Richd Yates - [Drun?] [presented ?] ballot for Palmer instead of Washburn, the Committee reported & of [course?] resolutions all O.K. Requesting our representative (after tendering him our thanks for his courteous letter) to laber first last & all the time to effect the election of our present Governor Richd Yates to the United States Senate - I had previous to his writing us had acquaintances of him & myself write him in reference to popular feeling which I am confident I am not mistaken is I believe fully that 19/20 of the names are in favor of your election. At the same time we all know that often the wishes of thou many are entirely ignored & popular feeling is not regarded - I see by the [prints?] that strong [currents?] are used & some

very stealthily & still I can hardly believe they can accomplish their ends - with reference to going to Springfield notwithstanding my own satisfactions that I cod not accomplish anything to yr advantage - being an entire stranger to most of the Legislature - I had pretty much concluded to be there & had the assurance of one or two to accompany me from our place but being unfortunate enough to freeze my feet I may be obliged to forgo the pleasure. If so - I shall continue to hope & that sanguinity that you will not fail. but as I before wrote wod prefer there wod be no contest as we bring the matter here if Washburn was out of the way - (although his vote wod be the lightest) - there wod be no question about the result that is if Putnam & Logan both remain in the field - Kewanee paper is out for you & Cambridge I still understand Webster is all right - shall probably see before he goes to S.

Respfly Alfred W Perry

Perry Alfred W

Geneseo Dec 21st 1864.

Has received Governors letter with enclosures - has received letter from Ford asking an expression of opinion from his constituents as to Senator. they instructed him to labor first last and all the time for the election of Rich Yates. &c &c