"WASHINGTON, _July 25, 1863_.
"DEAR POND,--I have been _credibly_ informed to-day that unless they
shall be so fortunate as to receive immediate relief from some friendly
source, the _Intelligencer_ will actually be suspended in the course of
the coming week.
"The paper, it is generally known, became embarrassed by the entire
loss of its large Southern circulation, consequent on the rebellion,
which loss has been followed now by the withdrawal of the official
advertisements of the govt. departments, which they have hitherto
enjoyed under almost every administration, thus cutting off resources
by which they have managed to meet their expenditures, and rendering
imminent an event which of all others will gratify the ultra party of
the country and bring mortification on the conservatives which they
will deplore when too late to be remedied. Its fall will exhilarate
the abolitionists by the assurance it will appear to justify, of the
opposition to extreme measures, and the inability of the conservatives
of the country to sustain a journal at the seat of government opposed
to radicalism, and practically confirm the standing and increase the
influence of the radical press here, while it will deprive the country
of a tried and faithful watchman on the walls of the citadel whose
very presence intimidates from a surrender of the bulwarks of the
Constitution and the constitutional union. Shall this be? Will the
wealthy, patriotic, conservative men of New York quietly permit such
an advantage to be gained by their destructive adversaries, and suffer
to be lost what holds out such a prospect and guarantee of usefulness
and necessity to them when a comparatively small effort may avert such
a catastrophe? In view of the depressing effect which the stoppage of
such a paper at this juncture will produce on National men North and
South and their cause, and the advantages which will inure therefrom
to the sectionalists, cannot some good men of New York make up a loan
to the establishment of a few thousand dollars, which will give it
stability and independence thro' the rest of this year, when it is to
be hoped a new era will open, thereby maintaining an important element
of power for good, in bringing about a reasonable and happy settlement
of our difficulties when the force of arms shall have accomplished its
work. Will these good people of New York allow this old and influential
journal of more than half a century's standing to go down for defending
their cause against the destructive policy of the radicals, and when,
if it go down, the conservatives will have to make greater sacrifices
in establishing another in its stead which must be long in acquiring
the same confidence and power of usefulness? These are questions which
must be determined in a few days, or the capital be left without a
paper representing and upholding national views and the country be
deprived of a faithful journal, which can be relied on, regardless of
government favor, and continue to do its duty to the people unawed by
power though it perish in the struggle.
"The amount, if supplied, may be deemed _and made_ a lien on the
establishment and apply as a credit on its purchase hereafter, or may
be _a loan_ to be secured by deed of trust thereon.
"I have stated facts, with no personal interest to advance other than
as my welfare is identified with the honor and prosperity of the
country and the integrity of the Union and the preservation of law
and order. I have made suggestions, and can conceive of no act more
patriotic or more demanded by the highest interest of the country than
the object of my note.
"I have advised that a confidential agent go to your city, and I am
writing to ask you to aid him by your counsel in putting him in the way
to avert an impending calamity. What I write you are at liberty to use
according to your discretion, but please keep my letter in your sole
possession. My engagements preclude my leaving home at present, and I
write as I would speak and would wish to say to men who will readily be
suggested to your mind. Can _you_ say it for the country's sake, and at
once?
"Yours faithfully,
"JOS. C. G. KENNEDY."