Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-07-11
NORM BEND, lst June, 1910.

My DEAR SIR-When | received your letter
Of the 18th April, was very unwell with vlo-
lent cold in the head, which terminated in inter-
mttent neuralgia, or sun pain, as it is commonly
called, which was so much increased by writing,
that was obliged for some time to do very little
in that way. When recovered my unanswered
letters had increased to so fearful mass that
have not yet been able to get through it, even with
the assistance Of my conscience keeping commit
Ice. And although have adopted the method OF
getting rid of large portion Of them by commit
ting them to the flames instead of the committee,
such are the constant Interruptions to which am
subjected by constant stream Of visitors, that
am able to make very little progress in lessening
my file. You have in the above my apology for
treating you with apparent neglec which it was
impossible that | should do, as well from your
high standing in society, from the regard ieel for
you in consequence Of the long and intimate friend
ship and connexion between our families. But
for those reasons, candor induces ME TO say, that
| could never have brought myself to answer the
political part Of your letter at all. | am con-
WINGED that upon reflection you will yourself think
that it was totally unnecessary, Tor | cannot sup
pose that my personal friends and connexions in
my native State could think that was less OF a
gentleman or an honest man than those ardent
politicians farther South, Stanly, Afford, Legare,
Dawson, King, &C. &c. They take it for gran
ted that | could not suffer my Vincennes speech
and other to be quoted by my friends to show my
opinions on the subject Of aboIitionIsm, if did
not hold those opinions at this tme-they have
therefore treated with scon and contempt, the
charge OF being an Abolitionist, and truly assert
that have done and suffered more to support
Southern Rights than any other person north OF
Mason and Dickson's line. have had indeed,
great number of applications from individuals
(nne-tenths, at least, my opponents requiring me
10 reiterate what have said or written upon the
subject of the United States Bank, Aboltonsm,
| &c. have declined to answer them Of late at
| all; amongst all other reasons, because it was
| physically impossible that should do it, and as
they all require my opinions in manuscript, par,
ticulary addressed TO the writer's, they would not
be satisfied with my writing ons letter and send
ing printed copy to each, was determined
however, to avail myself of the first favorable OPP
portunty, and referring to the letters and speeches
| had made on the sub ects have mentioned, to
endorse them all. This have recently done in
letter to a committee appointed by the Whg
members Of the Legislature of New York You
will probably see it published by the time this
reaches you. In relation to the discussion be-
tween Mr., Randol phi and myself in the Senate,
of which statement is annexed to the address
what better evidence could be given that there is
no possibility Of satisfying my political enemies
by any thing that could write than the garbled
account which they have given Of that discussion
| If the chaige made Upon me by Mr.. Rando phi il
authentic, taken from auewspaper report, surely
my answer to him should be considered 50 also