Urbana Ills Jany 3 1864 His Excellency Abraham Lincoln Sir I have recently come in possession of a fact which I conceived might be of some interest to you, from persons in the immediate neighborhood and whose veracity are above question. I learn with much pleasure that the Honl Richmond Pearson who resides in the neighborhood from whence I came to this state, has been from the commencement of this rebellion an open avow'd & determind opponent of secession, and recently on the bench released eleven persons who had been conscripted by the rebels, who had resisted and kill'd three of the conscriptors and who were then in the hands of the military to be tried by court martial. Many other instances has come to my knowledge of his devotion to the Union He is warmly advocating emancipation and making every effort to defeat the success of the rebellion He resides near Rockford Surry County North Carolina is now & has been for many years Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. if he could be thrown in communication with the Union authorities I would think it very advisable to do so. With assurances of my best wishes I am Yr Hum Srvt W D Somers [*29173*] W D Somers Urbana Illinois Giving some facts concerning the loyalty of Honl. Richmond Pearson Chief Justice of North Carolina and suggesting that he would be a valuable ally to our cause there if communicated with— Jany 10, 65 Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.