"I have received your letter of the 8th inst., declining arbitration.
"I suppose, therefore, the only resource left me is the arbitration of
public opinion.
"The argument which you decline to admit into the case was introduced
there by Mr. Hunt. I recognize with you its disastrous effects, and
applaud your prudence in excluding it.
"Regarding your offer to sell the books to another publisher, I may
say that as the cream of their sale is already gone, I do not see the
brilliant advantage to be derived from taking the skim milk to another
publisher. I will, however, consult my board of attorneys,--pray do
not suppose I limit myself to one--and beg you meanwhile, to accept my
thanks for the benefit you design me.
"Will you have the goodness to send me my accounts for the last
half-year."
I supposed this was the end of it, but was surprised by a letter of
September 14, saying:--
"We have your letter of the 11th inst.
"We think no occasion for arbitration in the matters at issue
between us need ever have arisen. And we think, now, that a formal
arbitration--as a means of settling the existing difficulties--would
not prove a suitable or satisfactory method either to you or to us. We
wish, however, to deal with you in a spirit of entire fairness, and
we therefore propose another method, which will answer the same end
in a much better way. Let us find a proper person, whose relations to
both parties are such as to fit him to act as a confidential friend
and adviser in the case. Let us confide the entire case, in all its
bearings, to his intercession, and abide by his judgment. We have in
mind a gentleman who, as we believe, would be in every way suitable and
satisfactory to both,--Samuel Rogers, Esq., of this city. We understand
Mr. Rogers to be a warm friend of yours, and we know him to be a just
man, of sound judgment, and capable of taking a comprehensive view of
the whole matter.
"If Mr. Rogers will accept the friendly office, we are quite ready to
meet him in all fairness and candor, and to open our books and accounts
to his inspection."