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The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.

Description

Trip to England requesting political favors

Date

11-11-1861

Keywords

letter, McIlvaine, Chase, England

Transcript

Cinc. Nov. 11, /61

My dear Sir,

Unfortunately I am supposed to have some influence at [?]. What a mistake! But I will do what my friend Mr. L’[Horamediei] asks of me, that is, write you concerning the application of his son-in-law [I.] [I.] [?] (he [prefers] now in the office of Mr. [Carmen]) for appointment as [?] Commissary, or Assistant [?] [?] Mister, or Captain in the [?]. The application is backed by the governor, Senator Wade, Congressman [Gisley], Judges Duncan, Story, & Hoadley, W. I. [Groerbeck] & J. H. [Groerbeck], (his uncle) & many others.

Mr. [?] is a man of [?] education & habit, & evidenced worthy of what he seeks. I learn he is a drilled volunteer, not in service. My poor news humbly added, but he has enough without it.

When I applied to Mr. [Carmen] for a Captaincy for my nephew Francis McIlvaine, I sought no help of names. I trusted to what he had said, & [reason] felt that I was paying her a compliment in trusting a case to its merit, for I imagined he would trust me as to them. If I had produced prohibited names, perhaps I should have succeeded. A fine officer with a military experience of seven years, fails, men, without knowledge enough to drill a [?] guard, get [?] plenty.

I took for some [dispatch] a letter from you today about the English matter.

Yours affectionately,

Charles P. McIlvaine

Don’t forget. Port [Chaplaing] at [?] & Mr. Badger (Rev. [?] Badger, Shelbyville Ky) for it.

Letter to Chase, S. P. (?)

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