I wish you would hand the enclosed to Major Eaton. It is quite confidential & I wish you to say to him that contrary to my nature I have sent it in the hand writing of my son, from a consciousness of his ^(Mr Es)^ habitual carelessness about his letters; and an apprehension that it might (as heretofore in other cases) find its way into one of the Committee rooms folded up in a petition for in behalf of some good fellow who has no friend except the Major; who to his credit be it said is a friend to the friendless.