James Langdon to Richard Yates

Surveyor's Office, Port of Quincy,

Jan 18 1865.

Hon Richard Yates

Dr Sir

An Accident which disabled my right arm prevented me from coming to Springfield during the late Senatorial contest I therefor made as good a fight as possible at home & if my exertions contributed in the least to your success I am gratified. As I presume you will leave for Washington soon I shall be unable to see you I wish to call your attention to a few facts. The Hon C H Browning whom you in times past unfortunately appointed to the position to which you have just been called has heretofore had the appointment of all the officers in this section. You should see that he has this power no longer as a great majority of his appointments have been very unfortunate thus far. Our Post office which should & which is expected to aid in a political campaign, has not been of the least use to the party since it has been in the present

hands neither did any body connected with it contribute one cent in money or use any exertion personally to aid the election of our ticket. White the collector of Internal Revenue with an office worth as they say) thousands of dollars actually gave the magnificent sum of $20.00 toward the expenses of the campaign. I imagine King in the Springfield District gave more than that. Now if we can expect to carry this county we must have a different state of affairs. Our collector also employs a copperhead of the worst sort as Liquer Inspecter who has always upon every occasion abused the administration without mercy notwithstanding he gets his living by her patronage & on election day he made himself particular obnoxious to loyal men by working for the copperhead ticket

I state these things for the purpose of showing you how necessary it is for us to have a new deal here, if we ever expect to succeed & hope you will work with that view. Mr Dills you are already aware is

a candidate for the Post Mastership & when the proper time arrives I expect to be an an applicant for collecter of Internal Revenue & as you volunteered your assistance whenever I might need the same I take the liberty to ask it when the time arrives soon as the matter of redistricting the state is settled by the legislation I shall then know how to proceed & will write you at the seat of Goverment

Should you have a spare moment before you leave should be glad to hear from you

Yours Very Truly

Jas J Langdon

Langdon James J.

Quincy Jan'y 18/65.

Senatorial and in reference to the Post Office there.