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Home » Public Programs » Online Exhibits » N. S. Townshend and Salmon P. Chase » Salmon P. Chase Letter to N. S. Townshend, February [12?], 1854

Salmon P. Chase Letter to N. S. Townshend, February [12?], 1854

Salmon P. Chase Letter to Norton Strange Townshend, February [12?], 1854. Norton Strange Townshend Family Papers, Box 1, Folder 27.

Washington, February [12?], 1850

My dear friend,

Your kind letter reached me yesterday, and it gave me pleasure to hear that we are to see you here after the adjournment of the Legislature. When will that be.

Mrs. Willets and her sister Mrs. Faller are here just now; as is also Mrs. Elliott. I have not yet communicated your message to the latter, but will do so the next time I see her.

Yesterday Seward made a powerful speech. It was all written out and printed beforehand; but was well delivered and produced a decided impression. On Tuesday we are to have another speech of the same but from Sumner. Neither Seward nor Sumner, however, as you see take part in the current debate on the bill or contest it by amendments. That peril they leave to me. It is the hardest work and the most unpleasant work, but if nobody else will undertake it of course I must.

You will see that my first amendment made them back out from their Supersedlar [sic] doctrine; and my second is designed to test the sincerity of their declaration, put forth to deceive the south, that the people of the territories are really to have the power of disposing of slavery for themselves. If you saw the close of last Thursday, you must have observed what affliction? the amendment produced.

Swan of the Eleventh, wrote me a few days ago that he had suggested to Mackenzie the expediency of uniting on me for Senator who replied that it was impossible. I wish exceedingly that this senatorial election could be made the means of uniting those who believe that there ought to be as Ohio on some man. Of course I should be glad to be that man, and naturally enough suppose that my name ought to be less objectionable on the average than any other. But I am quite content to be set aside if the result can be otherwise attained.

I wish you would cultivate the acquaintance of members as much as possible. You are calculated to have great influence and ought to exert your total in that line. Do you know Krauth of the House from Hamilton. He is, in heart, one of us. The Men but for [illegible word] was elected by the votes of our men.

What is Hamlin doing? I hear from him now and then, but not so often as I should like.

Ashley James M. of Toledo is a warm friend of mine & has been intimate with the democrats of the old line severally? He spoke of being at Columbus this winter. If he has not been there & his presence could be [helpful?] I don’t doubt that a letter from you would bring him.

What does Myer say? His Toledo paper is mum as an oyster. When you give me all you know in detail. If the Nebraska question gets through in a couple of weeks

I think of making a rapid journey to Cincinnati and back.

Yours affectionately,

S.P. Chase

Hon. N.S. Townshend