When I wrote you in reference to Mr. Blair's course, I had no conception that he and I should ever be placed in a hostile attitude, publicly or privately. I had ventured upon the dangerous expedient of asking him as my friend to aid me by his credit and the advance of a few thousand dollars (not over five) in a general arrangement of my affairs, proposing to put all my property within his reach as security. This was declined, but Mr. Rives advanced $1,500 to pay off some pressing claims and aided me in my printing, on condition that I should give security for that and a considerable balance I owed the Globe establishment. In the mean time, I heard of Mr. Blair's saying some unkind things of me, and mentioned them to him in a letter, not doubting that I should receive a friendly explanation. Instead of that, I received a long letter charging me with preconcerting a quarrel with him to make myself of importance as an Editor &c &c! I had reason when I wrote you last, to suppose he was not in fact friendly to me; but I have been mortified and astounded at this disclosure, particularly at the motive attributed to me.

I mention this matter that you may not ^in any event or^ by any possibility, have a wrong impression as to my motive in disapproving Mr. Blair's course as shown in my last letter, that disapproval having preceded the quarrel.

As it is, I shall have no public quarrel with this selfish and jealous man unless he forces it on me. Independently of my utter repugnance to any such result, I know that neither he nor I have any thing to gain by it in point of reputation. Probably, I could do him more harm than he could me; but the time is passed, if it ever existed, when I could take pleasure in doing harm to others.

The friends of Mr. Calhoun are exhibiting much activity, and there is some ground to fear that the design of some of them is to ruin him at all hazards. Looking at his past career, I cannot be surprized, if he should assent. While it would be ruinous to him with the Democratic Party, it would injure the Party itself. At present, I believe there are few of our western and southwestern friends who do not look to you as our candidate; and among them all there are probably not ten in Congress, who do not deprecate the character of the Globe's opposition to Mr. Tyler. I suppose it is the knowledge of this, with the notice the Madisonian gratuitously gave to my new Proposals, which excited Mr. Blair's jealousy to the exploding point.

A letter from Gen. Jackson a few days ago, informs me, that his health is so feeble that he does not venture out of doors; yet he seems to write as vigorously as ever. My nephew is with him arranging his papers.

Mrs. Kendall unites with me in sending our best regards to Mrs. Van Buren, yourself and you. With enduring gratitude for the confidence you have ever reposed in me, I remain