I have received your letter and those accompanying, to wit, Mr.
Newton's and I.N. Morris'. I may write to Mr. Newton but it will be
different from what he expects. I am not a candidate for any office.
All I want is to be left alone to fight this war out; fight all rebel
opposition and restore a happy Union in the shortest possible time.
You know, or ought to know, that the public prints are not the proper
mediums through which to let a personal feeling pass. I know that I
feel that nothing personal to myself could ever induce me to accept a
political office.
From your letter you seem to have taken an active feeling, to say the
least, in this matter, that I would like to talk to you about. I could
write, but do not want to do so. Why not come down here and see me?
I did tell Julia to make a visit to Cincinnati, Batavia, Bethel and
Georgetown.