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1 S. WHITELEY'S INSURANCE AGENCY. POST OFFICE BUILDING TELEPHONE 168. Racine, Wis., Dec 6 1888 DIctated Copy

Hon. Henry C. Payne, Miwaukee, Wis Dear Sir: Ms. SImeon Whiteley of this city is about to make application for a consular appointment, and I submit to you some of the reasons why I must urge you to give him your most cordial assistance. Some of the facts are indeed new to me, although I have known Mr. Whiteley ever since i came to Racine. Mr. Whiteley was one of the foremost in organising the Republican party in Illinois. He was one of the 17 Republican editors who met at Decatur Feby 22..1856, [see Nicolays Life of Lincoln] which provided for the meeting of the first Republican State Convention in Illinois. I have seen letters from Joseph Medill of the Chicago Tribune- Ex St. Governor Bross Ex St. Governor Beveridge- ex St Governor Shuman, editor of the Chicago Evening Journal- and Paul Selby editor of the Springfield (Ill) State Journal confirming the fact, and extolling Whiteley's abilities and character. I believe it to be demonstrable- that the election of Lyman Trumbull to the US. Senate( and that was a turning point in the political history of this country) might not have been accomplished but for the faithfulness and almost heroic self sacrifice of Mr. Whiteley. Mr. Whiteley has shown me a letter signed by E B Washburne. John F. Farnsworth. Owen Lovejoy, and W Pitt Kellogg. commending