E. P. Ferry to Richard Yates

Nashville Dec 11th 1864

My Dear Governor,

Yours of the 3d was recd last Evening.

Before leaving home I ascertained that Washburne

was a candidate.  He was 

in Chicago the day I left, but

I did not see him.

J. J. Cory (not the Doct., the Doct.

is his Father) Editor of the Gazette

recd from some source, a

strong article in favor of

Washburne, With a request,

"please insert," He brought the

article to Me & I insisted that

it would not be published.

Cory who is my Bro in Law

is your fast friend. Be Kind

enough to drop him a friendly

line. he will appreciate it.

He was at Springfield a

few weeks since & thought

he was treated rather coolly

in your office. I informed him

that it could not have been

intentional.

I am aware that Col Payne

is doubtful. I sent for him

on the 29th of last month & had

a long interview with him at

my office in Chicago. He said

he intended to carry out the wishes

of the people of [Ad?] Co. in reference

to Senator. He said that you were

the choice of a very large Maj.

of the people. in fact he had

seen only one man who was

opposed to you. but he refused

to pledge himself. I am afraid

of him. His Father & Washburne

are old friends.

Haines Controls him. He

is Haines partner. If Haines

is for you, all will be right.

I dont think Haines is

Sound, however.

You will recollect, that

Haines was a candidate &

I opposed him. Blodgett was

my candidate. Blodgett

beat Haines badly in the

Election of delegates. On the

morning of the Convention

Payne was brought out by

Haines friends as a com

promise candidate & was

nominated. From this you

will perceive that Payne

thinks he is under no obligation to

Me for his Election.

Although I did not oppose his nomination

I know of but one thing

to pull upon him. Which is if

he votes against you he can

never be reelected.

I have no doubt of your

Election. yet no effort should

be spared, to secure succefs.

It will be impofsible for

me to go home before the Legislature

meets. I have been absent so much

during the past summer & fall,

that the businefs of the office in more

than one quarter behind. Our [Duty?]

report is not yet sent on. One of

the [illegible] is Completed to go to Washington.

next week, but let the consequences

be what they may, I will be in

Springfield. On the 30th or 31st inst.

& will adopt some plan to secure

Col Payne's vote for you. I will

have my wife meet me in Springfield

which will save the time that would

be occupied in going home.

Please Write me what Members are

doubtful & I will write them if I think it

can do any good.

Very Truly yours

E.P. Ferry

Ferry E. P.

Nashville. Dec. 11th 64.

Received yours of 3d

J. Y. Cory - Editor of the Gazette

His Bro-in-Law) received article

for Washburne with request to

"Please insert" but he did not

do it - He is your fast friend -

and if you would write him a

friendly line he would appreciate

it - Is aware that Payne of Lake

is doubtful, he had a long inter

view with him, and he (P) told

him that a large maj in his Co -

were for you. & that he carry out

their wishes, but would not pledge

He is afraid of him. Haines

controls him, & he thinks he is

against you - cant come

before Legislature - Will be

here by 31st & do what he can

to secure Payne.