I believe I am in no great danger of again <illegible> politicians <illegible> <illegible> but I am nonetheless induced to trouble you with a line or two, even though it may have some appearance of meddling with politics. The name of Jacocks, is, I presume, familiar to you,—and you are probably aware, that some time since, by formal application to the President, he obtained an office connected with the custom in this district, which produced him an income of something like 11 or 12 hundred dollars a year. It unfortunately happened, however, that soon after, under a highly excited state of feeling, to which he had been subject, in a greater or less degree, for years, and which sometimes amounts in the opinion of many to partial insanity, he became exceedingly offensive to the Collector, and all his pious friends, myself only excepted. During this time, Mr. Ellis, with (as he claims) the best of motives, and probably by the advice of some who were really friendly to Jacocks, obtained a reduction of his income to one half of <illegible> ^its^ former amount. But the paroxysm has now passed away, and Jacocks is himself again, <illegible> the one half of his income. And this he now wishes to have restored—and I, <illegible> for one, should like to have him gratified. He is a southern man, of warm temperament and easily excited. It is sometimes difficult to know how to avoid collisions with him. But I believe him to be a man of sterling integrity, and faithful to every trust reposed in him. He has been, from the beginning, and when he stood almost alone, a steady supporter of the present administration, and at times has exerted a most salutary influence. He was reduced from easy and prosperous circumstances, by sheer misfortune, and by the treachery of pretended friends. He has reared a large family, some of whom are still young, and in a measure dependent upon him. I do not believe that his present income is a suitable compensation for his service—and I think a restoration of the other half, would be an act of strict justice, while it would be viewed by him, and his friends, as a measure of personal kindness. He is very anxious to go to Washington, to confer with the President on the subject—but Mr Ellis will probably object to his going, whether judiciously or not, is not for me to judge. It is not necessary, if the President can be rightly informed. During J's. excited state of feeling, he not only threatened, but I believe took some measures with a view to the removal of Ellis from the Collectorship, and Jones from the P.O. and this purpose he has probably never relinquished. But on this point, you must be aware, that one change can take place, without obvious injury to the cause.

Pardon this intrusion—and believe me to be most truly,