John H. Bryant and others to Richard Yates

                                                                      Princeton Bureau County April 1, 1864

Gov. Yates

   Springfield

          Dear Sir

                          The undersigned citizens of the 5th Congressional District lately represented so well by the honored and lamented Lovejoy, whose death has created a vacancy in said district to be filled by either a special Election or at the Ensuing general Election - would respectfully suggest that the Election to fill said vacancy should be held at the time of the general Election next fall for the obvious reasons that our member Elect for the unexpired term could not probably take his seat before the adjournment of Congress, and that a special Election would impose upon us the labor & expense of an additional campaign with the great risk always attendant upon such Elections, of not getting out our full strength, which last consideration we think of more importance than

all the rest.

                                           Respectfully yours
                                            Princeton  John H. Bryant
                                            Princeton  Richard A. Yue
                                            Peoria      Mark M. Aiken
                                            Lacon       Mark Bangs
                                                           T. C. Morro
                                                           Henry J. Chase
                                                           Justin H. Olds
                                                           Samuel Parker
                                             Lacon      Robert  Taal
                                                           C.C. Mason
                                                           F. W. Waller
                                                           Chas Baldwin
                                                           L. D. Whitney
                                                           R. B. (Freeny?)
                                                           Levi North
                                                           D. E. Norton
                                                           John Walter

   Citizens 0f Bureau Co

         Princton Apr. 1st 64

In reference to the succession of Hon Owen Lovejoy