Maria Burditt to Richard Yates

                  Ravenswood West Va Nov 20 ( 64

To his Exelency Richard Yates

                          Govenor of Illinois

                                        Sir I hope You will excuse the liberty I take of addresing You a few lines in behalf of the Prisoners of Illinois having herd of their sufferings, and feeling a deep interest in some now in confinement.  I would presume to speak to You, feeling that You, must be unawares of their state of need or You, would relieve them if in Your power to do so, and if you are unable to do so, I beg You to, grant me the privilage of supplying some of them at least with food and clothing as far as I am able.  I hope you will pardon the feeling that promted me to speak to You of this matter, and be so kind as to give it more than a pasing notice, for I shal wait with anxiety to here from you, which I hope will be at Your earleyest convenience.

Yours with all Due respect Mrs Maria Burditt

Burditt Mrs Maria

Ravenswood West Va Nov 20/64

Wants to send clothing &c to prisoners of war

An'sd Nov. 26th 64

   ~~