Walter B. Scates to Richard Yates

                                               Office County Hamt Head Quarters Dept

                                                Cincinnati O. Janury 6th 1865

His Excellency

            R. Yates

                      I am happy to read the announcement in the morning papers, of your election to the U.S. Senate on yesterday  I congratulate you in this renewed evidence that Republics are not always unmindful of, nor ungrateful for eminent services of their chivalric sons, and loyal, patriotic citizens  

      You are again honored with a position,- which may not only be exceedingly gratifying as a full endorsement of the acts of Your gubenatorial administration in the most novel, critical & trying period of our history - but one that will enable you to exert a great influence in extricating the public affairs from their abnormal conditions and wisely placing them under a politicians system of reconstruction - permanent as time, and calculated to restore harmony to the sections - union & brotherly love among the masses with peace to the whole country.  May God endow you with wisdom and grace in devising right measures, & administering

them in that spirit that may attain the consummation so much desired by us all

                   I have the honor to be Sir

                    Your most obt Servt

                              Walter B. Scates

Scates Walter B

Cincinnati Jan 6th 65

Congratulatory

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