"NASSAU ST., _July 24_ (_1863_).
"MY DEAR SIR,--I have revised the opinion wh. I gave to the Governor
last March on the conscription act, and have since thought of
publishing it as an opinion given to the Governor at that time. He has
been bitterly assailed for having spoken of the 'rights of the people.'
I want the public to see the grounds for the opinion that the people
_have_ rights, which have been violated. I should not, however, print
this opinion if the state of things, in the negotiations with the
govt., makes it inexpedient at the present moment. But I mean to get it
fully ready, and to let it be known what I think of this law as soon as
there is a fitting time for it. Will you mention this to the Governor?
I shall be in town again on Monday.
"Y'rs truly,
"GEO. T. CURTIS."
The _National Intelligencer_ was the organ of the old Federal and
Whig parties almost from the foundation of the government. It was a
faithful champion of the slave-holding interests of the South until
its representatives in Congress withdrew from the Union. The demise of
the Whig party by the incorporation of the Northern portion of it into
the Republican party and the separation of the slave States from the
Union, left the _Intelligencer_ no longer any constituency, and after
a few struggles like the one of which we read in the following letter
from Mr. Kennedy, and a brief, precarious existence which Mr. Tilden
contributed financially to prolong its publication was discontinued.