Abner Ellis to Richard Yates

Springfield Illinois

April 11th 1861

Richard Yates

I am desireous that you should address a letter to President Lincoln and Give him a fair statement in reguard to the appointment of Postmaster for this city

In the first place as is well known I withe the other applicants for the office circulated my Petition withe our Republican freinds and I obtained from I can understand nearly Five Times as many signatures as all the other applicants put together - and they have ascertained this fact - and they have all [calogued?] to-gether for the sole purpose of defeating my appointment - by trying to make the President think that they are verry [biberly?] toward him by leaving the appointment intireally to himself

Now my freinds say to me that they are confident that Mr Lincoln dose not wish to discriminate betwean his numerous freinds who are applicants for the office and I think so myself from the fact that he Mr Lincoln said to me I want you all that are applicants for the office applicants for the office to get up your petitions and send them on to me and that would do what he thought would please a majority of the People

I presume that you have herd that the Republican voters of this city have been trying to get an Expression of the People by a vote but the Illinois Journal and the other aspirants have done all in their power to defeat it but my freinds have partly suceded they took a vote in the Secon Ward on the 9th of April and I recivd as I understand 193 Republican votes out of 211 Poled over all others combined The other Aspirants for the office are

Benj. A. Watson

T. R. King

Geo. R. Weber

R. J. Coats

Geo. S. Roper

E. B. Hawley

J. M. Allen and I am credibly informed that Dr W. S. Wallace & E L Baker of the Journal are also expecting to recive the appointment provided they can defeat an Expression of the people

Dick I am unwell and can not get out to do any thing and I hope that you - Dr Jayne John Williams W H Herndon P P Enos and Zimri A. Enos would take it in hand - and much oblige your

Abner

Examine this closely

P.S. they are also using some of your State House officials against my appointment

All I have written you I am certin is strictly True

Abner Ellis -

In regard to apptmt as Postmaster.

At Springfield

Gov. R. Yates

Springfield

Illinois

Apl 10 1861