MVB to W[illiam] C[abell] Rives, [17 February 1834]
My dear Sir
Forsyth has been <illegible> to you. As the Instructions <illegible> <illegible> he is very divided on the course you propose, & he informs me that the report of your intended resignation has caused much uneasiness in the opposition ranks.
Allow me to suggest whether the address to the public would not be the more appropriate place for the observations we <spoke> of <illegible> <illegible>, <touching> the importance of preserving the right of instruction & <illegible> when <illegible> <of> your convictions to the <illegible> sentiments of the people of your state, you might effectually reach, delinquent <illegible> others, by observing <illegible> the change, so far as it respects the action of the agent of <illegible> and the constitutional <illegible> <illegible> of the will of the people through the Legislature, that, however correct you might have been in the present <state> to <illegible> a <illegible> <increase>, the practice might if <illegible> by public opinion, be <illegible> to great <abuse>, & ^would^ in effect <illegible> the <great> right of instruction, a right so indispensable to keep the supremacy of the <illegible> will always <illegible> <illegible> <illegible> majority <illegible> <illegible> scrawl & believe me
very truly yours
M.VanBuren