HARTFORD, 28th
January, 1850.
MY DEAR SIR—Your
valuable favor of the 17th was duly received, and I am under obligations, not
only for the kind manner in which my communication was received, but for the
confidences and suggestions therein manifested.
The debate which
took place on the 17th I read attentively, and particularly your able and
well-timed remarks, when Mr. Clemens undertook to expel the whole of the
democracy from the political church. It is about twenty years since Mr. Calhoun
commenced his efforts to build up a sectional party, first on the tariff, and
recently on another issue. There was an interval during the administration of
Mr. Van Buren and the early part of John Tyler's, when he undoubtedly had
expectation of rising by reinstating himself with the Democratic party, that
then these sectional animosities were at rest. But the elevation of Mr. Polk
extinguished his hopes, and has made him a sour and discontented man. He has no
aspirations connected with the integrity of the Democratic party, and can have
none. It is to be regretted that the South should embark so fully in his
schemes, or lend themselves to his intrigues.
The indications are
that you will have a somewhat stormy and boisterous session; but I have no
doubt that the ultimate result will be for the permanent welfare of the whole
country. There may be some changes of parties and men, for a time at least, but
with right and principle the Constitution and the Union will triumph. You, with
others who have, to a great extent, the custody of public measures, will so
shape matters that the country will receive no detriment from the intrigues of
the aspiring and restless, or the overheated zeal of the unreflecting and
impulsive.
But I must not intrude on your time. We regret extreemly to hear of the illness of your son. Until the receipt of your letter I was not aware that he had returned. Mrs. Niles continues about the same. I presented your compliments to the Judge, who sensibly felt them, and spoke of your kind feelings, friendly relations, and your attention and devotion to your public duties.
I am in hopes to
visit Washington some time during the session. Until then it will be a
gratification if you can occasionally let me hear from you. With kind regards,
in which Mrs. Welles unites, to yourself, and to your family when you write or
see them, I am, dear sir,
