Owing to absence yours of the 16^th was not received till the day-before yesterday–2 I thank you for your good opinion of me personally; and still more for the deep interest you take in the cause of our common country– It pains me a little, that you have deemed it necessary to point out to me how I may be compensated for throwing myself in the breach now– This assumes that I am merely calculating the chances of personal advancement– Let me assure you that I decline to be a candidate for congress, on my clear conviction, that my running would hurt, & not help the cause– I am willing to make any personal sacrafice; but I am not willing to do, what in my own judgment, is a sacrafice of the cause itself–