MR. DAVIS TO MR. DICKINSON.

NORWICH, July 25, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-I have just risen from the perusal of the pamphlet you sent me, giving me an account of the public dinner at Old Tammany; and you may be assured I have had a feast. "I breathe deeper and freer." That occasion opens up the dawn of better days, and in a great measure removes the forebodings of our national dissolution. I rose from the perusal with the exclamation, " The confederacy is safe." When the Empire City speaks in such tones and with such unanimity, she will be heard and her influence will be felt. And in relation to yourself, you will allow me to say, the compliment was as well deserved as it was splendid, and I cannot let the opportunity pass without congratulating you upon the occasion. In particular, sir, I wish to manifest my hearty assent to the sentiments of your speech on that occasion as to the only true ground upon which our national identity can be maintained. I have ever been anxious that our Southern brethren should be made sensible of their error at the last election, but think the reproof already administered is abundantly sufficient, and am as ready to shoulder the musket for the rights of the South as for the rights of the North; or, in other words, to maintain the constitution. Your compliment to Mr. Clay was just.

What will be the policy of the new Executive? And how can the Whig party avoid the fruits of their doings? It seems to me the question of boundary between Texas and New Mexico may be more quietly settled by commissioners than by any acts of Congress.

With sentiments of high regard, believe me

Hon. D. S. DICKINSON.

Yours truly,

JOHN DAVIS.

MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. DICKINSON.

WASHINGTON, July 29, 1850.

MY DEAR LYDIA-I am glad you took the pleasant visit to

Batavia, and am much obliged to Mr. Redfield for his kindness to you. You seem to be enjoying yourself well, and I see no objection to your staying for the present and as long as you think proper. It is warm, dusty, and uncomfortable here, but my health remains good. Charlotte and Stevie had returned to B., and Manco was at Guilford, when I last heard. He thought the pure air and water and wild game were helping him, as is not improbable. There is nothing new here; negroes and hot weather rule the roast.

Give my love to Lydia. Mary was well and happy a few days since, when I last heard.

Affectionately,

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. KENNEY TO MR. DICKINSON.

WASHINGTON, D. C., September 9, 1850.

SIR-You will, I trust, excuse a stranger the liberty he takes, when he assures you that admiration of your patriotism and the wish that his children and their descendants shall constantly have your example before them, have occasioned this intrusion. I have a strong desire to possess five copies, each, of such speeches as have been delivered by yourself and a few other patriots, upon the exciting topics which have engrossed the attention of Congress during the present session. I intend to have them handsomely bound-one copy for each of my four children and one for myself.

Will you, therefore, have the kindness to inclose me five copies, as above, of such speeches as you have delivered this session, with your name in your own hand written upon the title page of each?

Thus, when you and I have passed to our final account, I cherish the hope that my children and theirs will venerate the memory and be stimulated to a greater love of the Union by the noble sentiments and patriotic example of those who, forgetting everything but their country, have so eminently contributed to its peace and safety, in the crisis through which we have just passed.

With sentiments of high respect, I have the honor to be

Your obedient servant,

J. M. KENNEY.

MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. DICKINSON.

WHEATLAND, NEAR LANCASTER, September 9, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-In examining the proceedings of the Senate on Thursday last, I find that they have passed resolutions in favor of the claim of the Cherokee Indians. I have always believed this to be just; but I should not take the liberty of addressing you upon the subject, were not a lady in question. Colonel S., who has passed years in advocating this claim to the neglect of other business, has a wife near Lancaster, in whom all her friends feel much interest, and she is in truth an excellent woman, whom I desire greatly to oblige. Colonel S.'s personal property is now under execution, and she informs me that he relies for relief upon the compensation he is to receive from the Cherokees for his services. If therefore you believe the claim to be just, I should esteem it a personal favor, if you would exert your well-deserved influence in the Senate to have it passed.

I have been very much gratified with the very high standing which you have deservedly acquired in the Senate and throughout the country, during the present session. You have no friend who more sincerely rejoices in your rapidly extending reputation, than

Your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

I should be very happy indeed, if you would pay me a visit on your return to New York. You might rely on a hearty welcome-and good cheer.

MR. WEBSTER TO MR. DICKINSON.

THURSDAY, September 26, 1850.

to the confirmation of

MY DEAR SIR-I hope you will hearken to no idle objections. as Collector of New Bedford. He is an upright and worthy man, and though he may have friends who have acted foolishly and improperly, I pledge my

self that he has been guilty of nothing of the kind. He is an honorable man, and a valued friend of mine.

Yours truly,

DANIEL WEBSTER.

MR. DICKINSON TO MR. WEBSTER.

[This note was written in answer to the letter of approval and commendation of his course in Congress, addressed to Mr. Dickinson by Mr. Webster, at the close of the session of 1850, and which appears in the preceding Biographical Sketch. The " occurrences "alluded to by both with regret, were passages of some asperity which took place between them in debate, soon after the commencement of Mr. Dickinson's term in the Senate, while they were in every sense political opponents, and, as yet, personally strangers. The exigencies of the public service soon brought them into acquaintanceship, and the modification of feeling which took place between them was alike honorable to both. No more noble exhibition of magnanimity can be found than Mr. Webster's acknowledgment of it, so beautifully and delicately expressed in the letter alluded to. Mr. Dickinson's reply was characterized by heartfelt sincerity, and by equal delicacy and beauty of expression. This correspondence is a most pleasing episode in the rugged course of political and party history.]

[PRIVATE.]

BINGHAMTON, October 5, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-I perused and reperused the beautiful note which you placed in my hands as I was about leaving Washington, with deeper emotion than I have ever experienced, except under some domestic vicissitude. Since I learned the noble and generous qualities of your nature, the unfortunate occurrences in our early acquaintance to which you refer have caused me many moments of painful regret, and your confiding communication has furnished a powerful illustration of the truth, that "to err is human, to forgive divine." Numerous and valued are the testimonials of confidence and regard which a somewhat extended acquaintance and lengthened public service have gathered around me, but among them all there is none to which my heart clings so fondly as this.

VOL. II.-29

I have presented it to my family and friends as the proudest passage in the history of an eventful life, and shail transmit it to my posterity as a sacred and cherished memento of friendship. I thank Heaven that it has fallen to my lot to be associated with yourself and others in resisting the mad current of disunion which threatened to overwhelm us; and the recollection that my course upon a question so momentous has received the approbation of the most distinguished American statesman, has more than satisfied my ambition. Believe me, my dear Sir, that of all the patriots who came forward in the evil day of their country, there was no voice so potential as your own. Others could buffet the dark and angry waves, but it was your strong arm that could roll them back from the holy citadel.

May that beneficent Being who holds the destiny of men and nations, long spare you to the public service, and may your vision never rest upon the disjointed fragments of a convulsed and ruined confederacy.

I pray you to accept and to present to Mrs. Webster the kind remembrances of myself and family, and to believe me sincerely yours.

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. ROGERS TO MR. DICKINSON.

BUFFALO, October 9, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-I found it impracticable to stop at Binghamton on my return, as I had contemplated. I very much regret it. I sincerely hope that a beneficent God may yet avert the blow which threatens to overwhelm you with grief; yet I dare not expect it. Permit me simply to say that I trust yourself and Mrs. Dickinson will await the issue (if such a thing be possible) with resignation and patience.

Yours ever,

H. W. ROGERS.

MR. DICKINSON TO MR. ROGERS.

BINGHAMTON, October 15, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-I deeply regretted that you could not give