"29 WILLIAM ST., _Sept. 9, 1863_.
"MY DEAR SIR,--I spent some time last evg. with Mr. Reverdy Johnson at
the 5th Avenue Hotel, where he will remain two or three days. He would
be gratified to see you. The object which he seeks to accomplish--the
continuance of the _Nat. Intelligencer_ until after the close of
the next Presidential election--is one, in my judgment, of great
importance. Should that paper be permitted to go down there will be
a very large number of respectable and influential persons in this
country left as sheep without a shepherd. They will have lost the
leader which they have been accustomed to follow, and whose voice they
know, for many years.
"I pray you put forth vigorous and prompt efforts to prevent such a
result. I like the views you are reported to have expressed the other
day, of uniting _all the opposition to the present administration_ in
selecting our candidates for the next Presidency.
"Yours very truly,
"HIRAM KETCHUM."