Many thanks to you for your kindness in responding to my letter of the 10^th inst–2 I herewith inclose you Drft on F. G. Adams for Two Hundred Dollars payable to your order which please have cashed & apply on the judgment of Thompson, White & Pryor vs Wilson & Parks and I will most cordially reciprocate the favor at any time & in any manner–3

I regret exceedingly that I was not present at the State convention on the 16^th inst, it was my intention to have been there, but the late heavy rains had so damaged the the R. R.[Railroad] that connection with your city was cut off, except via Chicago–4

I am somewhat disappointed that our friend Powell was not renominated for I regard him as a faithful and efficient public servant– But I presume his successor is an able & worthy man–5

Our convention to appoint Delegates to the Joliet congressional convention met in this place on Saturday the 19^th inst–6 We had a very enthusiastic and interesting time– We did all we could for our worthy friend Judge Davis, but the friends of Mr Lovejoy were too numerous and we had to withdraw the Judge's name and permit our Delegation to be instructed for Mr L– We may congratulate ourselves that we will not have to labor much for his election because that is a sure thing–7

I will send you the proceedings when published– W. N. Coler is the Buchanan-Douglas Democratic candi (I so designate him as the convention that nominated him endorsed all parties— but ours) candidate for Representative in this District– He is as you are doubtless aware very popular in this county– I have no fears however that he can induce any Republican to give him his support– Although he is quite sanguine of so doing– But Republicans here recollect that there is a U.S. Senator to be elected this Fall and will not be influenced by their partiality to Mr Coler

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to assist in sending Judge Douglas back to the Senate–8 Coler pretends to be strongly opposed to the Presidents Kansas policy,9 while he is at the same time a friend to the Administration– We will "show him up" this Fall– We have as yet no candidate out against Coler, but I think the feeling here is generally in favor of D^r Hull of Piatt county, it is believed that he can carry the American vote in the District which with the support of our party would elect him– It is feared by some of our friends that he has too recently ^become^ identified with us to be reliable, but I am assured that he will support "our first choice" for the Senate10 which is I imagine all that is desirable at this time– The Americans will doubtless nominate him, even if we should have another candidate, if they should do so would it not be expedient for us to concentrate our strength on him & have no candidate of our own–? This you know is one of the Districts relied upon for a gain and it is therefore necessary that we be very cautious in our movements.

I design to be present at our District Representative convention11 and see what can be done to effect a coalition with the American party— this is our only hope of success— and we must succeed at all hazards– I shall take the stump this Fall and do all I can, however, little that may be for our ticket–12

There are questions that sometimes arise in relation to the principles of our party that are not altogether clear to me, and I have often wished to learn your views on such points— for instance I am sometimes at a loss to know how it is that Congress has the power to inhib[it] the introduction of slaves in a Territory but no power to establish or Legislate it therein– Will you take the trouble to give me your opinion on this point, and greatly oblige yours13