[Richard Yates] to W. A. Hacker

Executive Department

Springfield Illinois

Feby. 12th 1862

Hon. W. A. Hacker,

President Constitutional Convention.

Sir;

In reply to the interrogatories contained in the resolution introduced in the Convention by the Hon H. K. S. Omelveny, and adopted on yesterday, touching the arrest and transportation of persons beyond the limits of the state, by the authority of the Federal government, I have the honor to state. -

1. That I have no official knowledge of the arrest and without trial, transportation or exile of any of the inhabitants or citizens of this State beyond its limits, for political offenses.

2. I have not been notified of any charges made by the authorities of the Federal government & against any of the citizens or inhabitants of this State, nor has my consent in any case been asked to make such arrest or removals. If however in its efforts to "attack, pursue and crush" the unholy rebellion now existing it has become necessary to arrest remove from the state and punish, by confinement in the forts of the country or otherwise

any of the inhabitants or citizens of this State on account of their complicity with the traitors who are seeking to destroy the government of the United States, such proceedings meet my warmest approbation. And it will be, as heretofore my highest ambition, in all lawful ways, to aid the United States government to terminate in the most speedy and effectual manner, the existing war with those in arms against it.

I remain

very Respy.

Governor.

arrests - reply.

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