March 5th, 1855.
DEAR HUNTER: I shall
direct this letter to you at home, supposing you to be there. I did not write
about the proposed organization, for after reflection I came to the conclusion
that it was at this time impracticable. The difficulty grew mainly out of the
fact that there were two Democratic papers in Richmond, each struggling for the
lead and one of them not to be trusted. It would have been impossible, I think
to have entered into the arrangement without the knowledge of that paper and
still more difficult to get its sanction. Moreover the Enquirer is a Wise paper
par excellence, and would have wanted some one that would not have answered. I
was afraid to move lest I might do mischief. The time will come when it can be
done and then it must be done. If we succeed in this election (and we shall) we
will have the control of the party, unless we are thwarted by which I fear, but
which must be risked. If however you think after reading this that it is better
to go on, say so and I think it can be done. You had better take your part in
this canvass, at least in a National point of view, suppose you make a
Demonstration here on the Southside. If you are willing I can have you invited
spontaneously. Wise is so busy he won't be able to come home and I think it
would be well to give the canvass in Virginia a somewhat less personal cast
than it has been made to appear. Don't understand me as urging this, I am only
suggesting it. If you don't like it, tell me what you do like so that I may
help. I thought I was done with Politics and personally I am, but I will help
you at all times as you know. Moreover I believe that we are to have a row with
the North, and when that game is to be played, you may always set me down as
one. To get the South straight Know Nothingism must be overcome and you ought
to say so and help to do it at once. I wish I could see you. Cant I meet you
sometime in Richmond or Fredericksburg? If so name your time and place.
To come to other
matters. Did you do anything for my boys? I feel very mean to be plaguing you
about them, but as I told you once before, you are the only person that I do
plague about my personal matters.
I got a letter from
Lieut. B. W. Robertson of the Army asking me in case of an increase of the Army
to solicit your aid in getting him promoted to a Captaincy. He says he has been
on duty with only the intermission of a few months since he left West Point,
and that he has seen much service, which is evident from papers on file in the
Department &c &c. He is a very worthy young man from this County and I
expect a good officer and if you can help him I would be well pleased. At all
events he wrote to me to ask you and therefore and because I would be glad to
further his wishes, I have done so. Write to me as soon as you can.
SOURCE: Charles Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), p. 161-2
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