J. W. Merrill to Richard Yates

Neponset, Bureau County, Illinois

June 4th 1861

To his Honor Gov Yates,

Dear Sir,

We have in this Town Two open and avowed Secessionists - they use language when speaking of the Government that ought not to be Tolerated in any Loyal Community.

They come out and say to use their own Language, "The Patriots of the South were Right in firing on the US Flag at Charleston" and "we are glad they took Ft Sumpter - The Union Men who have Responded to the Governor's Call and are drilling are a set of D----d Torys and ought to be hung", and again in speaking of the Lamented and gallant Elsworth "it served him Right he met his just deserts, the man that shot him proved himself a Hero and is worthy of all praise", We have formed a Military Company here under the Militia Act of April - it is composed of our Best Citizens and we have to come in for our share of their venom - taking these facts in connection with the fact that some persons here have been in direct communication with the Rebel & Traitor Davis and others of like stamp south we can not tolerate in this community - The letters for the Rebels are mailed nights - I am Post Master, and I find these Letters in the Box in the morning and you may rest assured that I have not mailed the letters as they are addressed, but have sent them direct to the Post Master Genl at Washington

On Saturday last my Company met for Drill and these Facts were laid before them. They chose a committee of Five to wait upon these men and demand an explanation, the only answer that we get is "Crack your whips and go ahead" we shall say what we please and will Fight for Free Speech - Now Dr Sir what I want is this - My Company

meet again on Saturday next and when the committee report I fear that I cannot Restrain the men, we do not wish to Resort to Mob Law but such a feeling of Indignation cannot be quelled - at the last meeting when their remarks in Relation to the Noble Ellsworth were Eeported it was with difficulty that the men could be calmed - will you please advise me what is the best course to pursue in Regard to the Men, Cant you send us authority to arrest them and send them to you at Springfield, if the Treasonable Expressions Cannot be surpressed without - please ans so that I may have your letter to lay before the Company on Saturday and we will govern ourselves accordingly (Franklin and Addison J. Drew are the men spoken of) this letter is written in Haste and you will please Excuse all errors -

Yours Truly

J.W. Merrill

Capt Neponset Union Guard -

Please ans per Ret Mail if possible

Capt J. W. Merrill

about Secessionists in Bereau County

answered