RICHMOND, [VA.],
February 13th, 1851.
MY DEAR HUNTER:
There was a meeting of the Democracy here last night. To describe its tone and
temper no one could undertake, except to a person who was present but
uninitiated. There is to be another meeting held next Monday night and a
Com[mit]tee of 12 is appointed to prepare subjects for consideration. I am at
the head of that Com[mit]tee. Nothing can or will be done. Why? the hares are
squatting under the nose of the Ritchie hounds. Ritchie has to get his printing
contract through Congress before he will allow anything to be attempted for the
conciliation of State Rights Democrats and for the uniting of North and South
Democrats. That printing Contract pervades, in under-current, every pulse of
action here. By it we were sold out to the Compromise, by it Bayly was carried
to downright treason, by it Ritchie is bound and by him the Democracy of
Virginia is held in durance vile. Are we to let him put us in his pocket? You
must trust to me to save "hooks and lines" here and I appeal to you
as a Senator and patriot never to allow that contract to be consummated unless
Ritchie will sell us to ourselves back again. We must hold him by the printing
bill. Don't let it pass either house until you have beat him to terms. You can
do it.
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