Your letter covering the newspaper slips, was received last night.2 The subject of that letter is exceedingly painful to me; and I can not but think there is some mistake in your impression of the motives of the old men– I suppose I am now one of the old men– and I declare on my veracity, which I think is good with you, that nothing could afford me more satisfaction than to learn that you and others of my young friends at home, were doing battle in this contest, and endearing themselves to the people, and taking a stand far above any I have ever been able to reach, in their admiration– I can not conceive that other old men feel differently– Of course I can not demonstrate what I say; but I was young once, and I am sure I was never ungenerously thrust back– I hardly know what to say– The way for a young man to rise, is to improve himself every way he can, never suspecting that any body wishes to hinder him– Allow me to assure you, that suspicion and jealousy never did help any man in any situation– There may sometimes be ungenerous attempts to keep a young man down; and they will succeed . . .3