Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi. On the inside pages of Lincoln's letter Allen wrote the following:
``Dear Genl Washington Sept 10 1862
``I wrote you yesterday but was so feeble as to be scarcely able to write at all. On the first page of this sheet you will find a note from President Lincoln which he was kind enough to send me a few minutes since. He is so very busy that he cannot pay attention to Illinois matters
``I rely on you entirely and whatever you say will be observed by me to the death, my health is improving slightly though I am still confined to my room. Hoping to hear from you soon and regretting most deeply the trouble I am giving you I am as ever, Very Truly WILLIAM J. ALLEN
``Maj Genl John A McClelernand
``Springfield Ill
``P.S. If not taxing you too much and your decision is favorable to me, may I ask you to telegraph. Prest Lincoln says he will act upon a telegraph.
``WJA''
Allen had been elected to fill the vacancy in congress caused by John A. Logan's resignation, but, openly advocating the division of Illinois so that ``Egypt'' might secede and join the Confederacy, he was arrested and held prisoner first at Cairo and later in the ``Old Capitol Prison'' in Washington, where he was at this time. See Lincoln's authorization for Allen September 16, infra.