"SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, _February 23, 1889_.
"MY DEAR SIR,--The motion in the 'Custody' case was made in the Supreme
Court this morning, at the opening of the court at 11 o'clock A.M., and
counsel were most patiently heard. Mr. Gilpin, for the Collector, and
I myself for the Marshal. It was, as you know, my first appearance in
that high court, and the decision is yet to come. All I can say to you
is that I made just as good an argument in your favor as I hoped to
be able to make. I believe the decision will be in conformity to your
wishes, but of that I have no knowledge, except that impression which a
lawyer always gets from the argument of a cause.
"Your late letter was duly rec'd. It will give me great pleasure to
see you here before we leave, but I shall leave on the morning of the
4th of March at 6 o'clock A.M. If I get the decision upon the motion
in time, I will send it to you; but if it is not made so that I can
send it to you before I expect you will start for this city, I will not
send it to you.
"I have been called upon to give six notes since I commenced this short
note, and I will stop it now, for I do not believe that you can find
out what is already written. Rest satisfied that the motion has been
made, has been, as I think, very fairly argued, and will be decided, as
I think, in your favor; but decided some way in the due course of time,
and as I hope before you come here.
"Very truly yours,
"SILAS WRIGHT, JR."