It is the opinion I write you freely under a full belief that you are with us on the Presidential question but that at all events I can speak <in> place implicit strict confidence in your honor.

Our best informed & most discrete friends are of opinion & in that sentiment I fully concure that all that is wanting to prevent schism in the Republican ranks on that subject is a temperate but firm & unreserved expression of the Democratic Sentiment through the medium of the Press. The Republican papers with but two or three exceptions are with us & I have reason to believe that such an expression will take place during the coming session of the Legislature. I have recently returned from the <West> & I find our friends every where in excellent <illegible> ^spirits^. We have no desire to hazzard any thing by intolerance or to talk of drawing the line like the American or making <illegible> to our favourite a test for nomination or to do any thing more than ^is necessary^ to enable the Republicans of different & remote parts of the state to <judge> know ^& change the feelings of^ what their friends in other parts that feel on the subject. I am strongly convinced that if this course is judiciously pursued nothing will not only obviate all difficulty on the Presidential question but greatly improve ^benefit^ our state elections. The conspicuous & highly useful part which the Independent Republican has taken in our politics render its course upon this occasion matter of much interest with us