Allen C. Fuller to Richard Yates

Belvidere March 4, 1861

Governor Yates

My Dear Sir:

I was much dissappointed at not meeting you at Chicago last Thursday evening according to appointment. The reception of Green and Banks was a splendid affair. There was however a universal regret that you failed to be there. You have no better friends in the state than in Chicago and you must go there and see them when you return from Washington. That promised visit of yours and Mrs Yates at Chicago and here when you return must be made and I calculate much upon it. I will not weary you with professions of friendship nor by a repetition of assurances of the pride I feel in you now being surrounded by your former friends at Washington. No Governor at Washington or elsewhere occupies the proud and enviable position you do to day & I repeat God bless you Richard Yates. I have no fulsome praise or flattery for your ear or eye but I have this to claim for myself and that is that

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I am your unselfish friend. I know I hold an office at your hands and the fear that you have been embarassed in making it makes me daily regret that I have accepted it. This is no idle statement but Gods truth. You might have made other friends without looseing one by a different appointment. I can only promise you I will not disgrace your administration and when a few weeks or perhaps months of these troublesome times shall have passed I will return you that commission with as much of sincere respect and honorable regard as though you had conferred a bounty on me for life. Believe this and await my best efforts to do something which shall merit your approval.

I shall go again to Chicago to-morrow. I am now engaged in ascertaining the history of the Banks in the state (and each one has a history) with the view of ridding the state of the intolerable curse of those who deserve no protection.

May I not expect to hear from you while in Washington?

Yours Truly

Allen C Fuller

A. C. Fuller