"The desire which you impute to us of having a one-sided settlement,
or of referring the matter at issue between us to any 'confidential
friend' of our own has never entered our thoughts. We named Mr. Rogers
in the first instance because we thought he was a warm personal friend
of your own, and one in whom you could put unhesitating confidence. We
never had a word with him on the subject in any way. As for Mr. Murray,
we certainly have no desire to press him, or any other person not
agreeable to you.
"We very decidedly prefer that _one_ person shall take cognizance
of the matter rather than _two_ or _three_; and to show that we do
not desire that the person chosen shall be a partisan of our own, we
suggest that the matter be submitted to the friendly offices of Mr.
Henry Brook, of Corinth. We do not know Mr. Brook personally, and have
never had any relations with him except a correspondence which he
initiated several days ago. If he is willing to act in the matter we
will accept any decision he makes."