I thank you for your kind letter. The idea of incivility, at any time, towards Mr Cassidy is entirely <illegible>. No motive for such treatmt ever existed, & I am <illegible> the <illegible> to indulge any such feelings.

Of the other matter I can not speak with so much certainty. All I recollect, distinctly, is, that I had a clear opinion that the office ought to be <abolished as useless>, & waited a long while in the hope Congress would do ^so^ <illegible>, a committee <illegible>. 

I have no recollection that Mr Prices name was sent ^in^, & I <illegible> think that I would not have forgotten such a circumstance as a rejection. Still it may be so. Mr Woodbury can tell all about it. What was done, was most probably done upon the advice of the Senator of the state Genl Wall.

I have seen that you occasionally turn your attention to the subject of the Tariff. I have been much struck with the <illegible> of the present <time>. Would it not be well to have a comparison <illegible> with that of 28, which some people think <illegible> they can <tolerate> the present one? Let this suggestion go no farther. Remember me very kindly Mrs Vanderpoel, & to Mr McBride & his family & believe me