Parker Earle to Richard Yates

(Confidential)

Cobden, Union Co. Ills

April 21st 1861

To his Excellency, Governor Yates:

Dear Sir -

We write you at the urgent request of several of our Republican Citizens, to make a statement of our condition with regard to the war troubles of the country. There are about twenty families of decided Republican character in this immediate neighborhood - most of them fruit cultivators who have emigrated here from the North - who are threatened with serious difficulty.

Union is perhaps the most intensely Pro-Slavery county in the State. Many of the most active and

influential Democrats are heartily in sympathy with the rebel States. They are maddened by the present attitude and activity of the Federal Government, and would gladly reek their vengeance on such Republicans within their reach as have assisted to establish it.

Many of them swear that they will drive out every free Negro and "Black Republican" from the county. They only two days ago kidnapped two free colored men in this village and without any pretense of legal authority took them to one of the adjoining Slave States. The open denunciation of this outrage by some of our citizens has added to the hatred with which they regard Northern men. There are many desperate characters

hereabouts who would be prompt to engage in any affray that promised plunder - Especially if it should receive the countenance of influential men.

Well, it is a fine country, and we propose to stay in it. We are not frightened. We cannot be intimidated simply by threats. We hope that no such mad enterprise will be undertaken. But we believe that our lives and property are in danger. We are mostly without arms. None of us are properly prepared for defence in such an emergency. Many of us cannot just now command the means to equip properly. We want Sharp's Rifles and Revolvers. We are in the midst of an ex cited community, and we are a

small minority, so that the most effective weapons of defence are indispensable if any are needed.

Is it within the policy of the State to supply any exposed communities with the means of defence? If so can we have any help? If so please inform us that we may take roper precautions in regard to shipment

Of course it would be highly impolitic, situated as we are to organize a military company - We must quietly and secretly prepare for the defence of our own firesides. Hence we wish to conduct this matter with proper caution. Of course any arms that may be furnished

[on side: P. Earle ansd]

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us will be receipted for, and subject to the order of the Executive.

Permit a suggestion. We see it stated that a large military force will be stationed at Cairo It is felt here that a few hundred of them stationed at Jonesboro, our county Seat, would have a very healthful influence in the community. That town is the head-quarters of Secessionism in Illinois. Execrations of our Government are said to be loud & frequent in that "nest of rebels". We are reliably informed that prominent men there have sworn to tear up the Central RR in case any troops are attempted to be shipped South on it, to Cairo or below -

It is scarcely necessary to request that this communication

be regarded as purely confidential, & witheld entirely from the the public - Our lives would be hazarded by its circulation in this community.

Truly yours for American Liberty

Parker Earle

Chas Colby

P.S. For precaution (our P.M. says the Montgomery Government is the only true one) we send this under cover [to?] my friend Mr Hawley, Of whom you can inquire with regard to myself. Mr Colby refers to any citizen of Janesville, Wis., his former residence - P. Earle -