Thomas Tredwell to MVB, 7 February 1828
Plattsburgh Clinton County
Feby 7 1828
Sir
Tho’ not personally acquainted with you, I cannot when I se[. . .] the violence with which you are particularly attacked, by a Party whose politics I know, but never liked, I want no greater proof of <illegible> firm and zealous Attachment the liberties of our country. I therefore take the liberty to address to you the foregoing pages, enfeebled as I am both in bodily and mental faculties nothing would have induced me to take up a pen, (which I am unable to hold steady, or to point when it wants nibbing) upon this ^important^ subject, but I do not see anyone taking it up in the manner in <Which> which I think it ought to be. The People ought to know that according to the principles of our Union, they have no right to meddle with the appointment of any Member of the general Government but by their Representatives, in the State Government, the work of Consolidation must be stopped, or our boasted Freedom is at an End, being stolen from us by the in[tr]igues of secret Caucuses, which are now the order of the day. You may make what use you please of this Communication but you must allow me the same liberty. I wish that some able Pen would take up the Subject, and have it published even from Dan to Beersheba.
I am Sir, with respect, yours,
Thomas Tredwell