“I take my pen in hand to express to you--shall I say my
sympathy or congratulation, or something of both, for
the scene through which you have recently passed? No one
would wish to be the victim of ‘border-ruffianism,’ which
has broken out in so disgraceful a manner at Washington;
yet I am happy to be able to congratulate you on standing
so honorably as you do in relation to this affair before
the public, and that such public feeling is manifested
in relation to the transaction. I cannot but hope that
the recent occurrence will have a powerful influence in
advancing the good cause which you have so zealously and
ably defended.”