Being absent at Springfield at the time when you perambulated this portion of your district, I was precluded from the pleasure of meeting, & greeting you at Peoria, which I extremely regretted. Your election gives great Satisfaction and your resolutions meet a hearty response from the party, & from our opponents, who have any principle or patriotism left.

As our local representative, I have confidence in the appeal, which I make in behalf of a friend & fellow citizen, H. M. Barney Esq^r a neighbor, merchant & Post Master in this place. On the night of the 15^th ult. his store, containing his all, & the Post office was entirely consumed by fire, during his absence in Peoria. He is a punctual public servant & the specie funds, which he had reserved for government, are melted down & principally destroyed. The sympathy of the public are greatly in his favor.

---

Now cannot something be done in his favor with our excellent & efficient P. M. General through your application & influence?

Perhaps Messrs Breese & Douglass might lend a helping hand [...?] or speak a good word in his behalf, which would exonerate him from the lost quarter of 1847, which had nearly expired & all its data lost. It would confer a favor upon him, & any & all favors from such a source would be gratefully acknowledged, & by none more then by your disinterested humble servant