J. T. Henry to Richard Yates

Ten Mile Macon County

M.O. April 18 1861.

Gov. Yates

Dear friend I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to you. I am well aware that in these times of trouble and peril that your time and attention is much engrosed with public affairs Yet I have been greatly decieved for a quarter of a centuary, in you if you would feel your self annoyed by a letter from a friend who has always delited in devoting his energy, time, and influence to promote you to office and honer.

I do not wish you to understand me, as claiming any thing from you, on that score however; But to be brief, I am in distress, I am in a neighborhood hostile to evry principal of liberty and Justice and I am anxious to get away from

a place that is liable to be the theater of mob violence, and bloodshed at any moment, You know me well enough, to know that I would scorn to conseal my political sentiments, and I have consequently become obnoxious to a set of hot brained Jack asses, a large majority of whom, are as poor as myself, and never will be able to own a slave, but they are ready to do any act of filth for their masters (the slave owners) By foul and fair means I have got a little in debt to some of them, and I cannot get away without some little aid

After thinking over evry way and means that I was master of I have come to the conclusion to apply to you for the lone of a small sum of money to aid me in getting back to Illinois

Now "dick, it is a little mortifying to my pride to be compelled to make this application. But for the sake of my wife and little ones I am ready to do any thing that is honerable, and knowing that you have the means. I ask you to loan me about seventy five dollars, and I will start immediately to Illinois and put myself under your orders, and do any thing that you may see fit to dictate until you are paid the full amount and interest. But I shall never consider the debt fully paid as long I have a child that cease to feel greatfull to you This may look (to you) like a small thing, But if you could realize my situation and feeling: I am satisfied that you would respond, without an hours hesitation. I dare not direct this to His excelency the

John T. Henry

Private [ans'd?]

the Governor of Illinois. If I did it would never leave my P. O. I will therfore direct it to the Post master, and I hope that it will not be thrown aside by you; (as a large amount of your corrispondance must necessarily be) as unworthy of an answer. I shall attend regularily evry "mail day" until I obtain an answer

Direct to your old friend

John T. Henry

Ten Mile

Macon Co

M.O.

If you favor me in this matter I will be possesed of a waggon and team And perhaps you will be enabled to put me in a way to pay you immediately

Your friend

J. T. Henry

His excelency

R Yates

N B I do not want any of my relations to know of this at present