John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

[147] hardly be here. I am afraid you fail to make a row with the New York post-office when this sort of thing occurs.

Last night it was one o'clock when I took my letter to the office, and your despatch gave me a dread that it might have been overlooked and delayed here. So I have been to the postmaster this morning, and had the office overhauled, and the letter has certainly gone. The only chance of failure is, says the P. M., that these late letters are made up in a special or extra package, and this may be overlooked and left unopened at night in the New York office. Pray look to this.

Your despatch about the Fremont letter is generally admired. I have not yet taken Banks' opinion of it; but he has written me a note saying that he was misled by A. B. James, and will keep out of such ruts hereafter. Rather late, but very right.

You can't guess how old Butler gave it to me yesterday for that infernal article telling the British how to invade and conquer the South. No report can do justice to his venom. I will try to keep such articles out of the Tribune hereafter.

Old Badger was sitting in the Senate all day yesterday. He must be “tickled to death” at the prospect of Pike's return to this city. I trust you have a supplement to-day. Thank Carey in my name for that article on Bowen. Also whoever did the Joe Bonaparte, though it used up so much room. ...

On May 20th he wrote from Lawrence, Kansas, transmitting a speech which he had delivered at Ossawatomie, and giving an account of his riding from place to place, shaking hands with everybody, including a lot of “political half-breeds and twaddlers.” According to this statement there was “considerable malignity in his speech, some of which will seem funny to some folks and not so funny to others. In Kansas, where its every shot will hit somebody, I know it will do good, and I promise not to write out another this side of San Francisco at the worst.” He ends with the following comprehensive summary: