I received your request concerning the German pamphlets too late to attend to the matter before to-morrow.

[432]

Please to consider that I am always glad to make myself of service to the Society in such matters, when there is an opportunity here.

The conversation with Colonel Ruggles which Dr. Webb was to report to you has been a cause of a good deal of concern in my mind. I should like to know, as soon as convenient to you, what has passed between you since.

In this conversation the Colonel seemed to take a little different position from that in which we had previously understood him to be standing. His property and the information he had previously given us I consider of comparatively little value, but the moral power of having his name associated with the operations of the Society I consider to be of great importance & I think it probable that he possesses information which in some future juncture would be of the greatest service to us. Chiefly, however, the reflections started by the conversation I had about it with Dr. Webb lead me to a point which I wish we had discussed more fully and with regard to which, now I have fully deliberated upon it, I should be relieved to know that you share my convictions.

I am very strong in the belief that an organization formed for the purpose of speculating in land, by or in connection with machinery for enlisting & facilitating the transit of emigrants, would do nearly every thing which we wish to have done, at least for some time to come, even though those engaged in it were entirely indifferent to the higher purpose of the N.E.E.A. Society. There would probably never be a question of yielding to the wishes of such men as Colonel Ruggles—men I mean whose objects were purely commercial—when it would not be discreet to do so (as far as the public could be informed) for the purpose of abating suspicion or misleading opposition to the purposes we should have in view. I want the matter to be so arranged that not only such “National Democrats” as Colonel R., but hot slave-holders in Texas, and especially very conservative merchants in New Orleans, may be made to work with us with all their might.

I have stated the point broadly in hopes that you will let me know how far you agree or differ with me, and also, so far as practicable, how it is likely to be regarded by the Society. I do not mean to ask you to define a plan at all—only to say how far this principle is likely to be regarded when the time comes for forming a plan.

Of course I depend upon convincing the outside members that the greatest liberality of dealing with the emigrants will in the end be the truest economy—or, if we do not succeed in convincing them, of coming so near it that they will be overruled by the majority, which I would take care to always have composed of those who will keep the political and benevolent purpose uppermost.

Oblige me, my dear doctor, by writing me fully and frankly on this subject. It is becoming evident to me that if I engage myself in this business at all it will have to be exclusively, with all my heart & strength. The happiness of my life will depend on the movement’s being very broadly and deeply successful. I [433] want the preliminary steps to be taken with great care and long-sightedness.

The more I contemplate it, the more momentous does the work we propose to engage in appear to me to be. I fully believe that only adequate wisdom is needed to make the duty we assume to ourselves as eventful as that of the Convention of 1776.

I confess to you I have a dread of Dr. Webb’s going through Neosho. His purpose will be sure in some way to leak out (he being known as the Secretary of the Society) and I consider it of the utmost importance that the views of the Society in that direction should not at present be suspected.

At least, if the Society is to operate openly and as, in the case of Kansas, with a hurrah, let it not do so without the fullest consideration, and when it begins, let it do so with a demonstration of real power—but if it is to operate silently by counter-mining the silent enemy, let the silence be absolute—from the beginning, absolute, absolute.

I pray the Doctor to be cautious to the last degree. (over)

My best regards to your wife.

Yours very truly