"Our business relations with the firm of which Hon. G. W. Hampden
is the head, have been for the last three or four years of the most
insignificant amount, certainly not of a nature to warp his judgment in
our favor. Besides Mr. Hampden is, like Mr. Russell, too honorable a
man [still harping on my honor] to accept the position of a judge where
his prejudices are enlisted.
"We do not understand from your letter that you object to Mr. Hampden.
On hearing from you we will write to Mr. Russell, and say that the
Reference only waits his convenience."