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184 It does appear to me that iii and out of Congress we are all at sea with the troubles that are upon us; that the people, and the people alone, are capable of extricating us. You, my dear sir, and your State—not Congress—have it in your power to bring the people into the "fair way" of doing this. This brings me to the point of my letter—then why will not the great State of Pennsylvania step forth as mediator between the sections? Authorize your commissioner to pledge the faith of this State, that their ultimatum shall not only be laid before the people of the keystone State, assembled likewise in their sovereign capacity, but that she will recommend it to her sister States of the North, for like action on their part, and so let the people, and not the politicians, decide whether this Union is to be broken up.

I am sanguine enough to believe that the great body of the Southern people entertain opinions, sentiments, and feelings in Conformity with my own in this matter. With distinguished consideration, I have the honour to be,

Respectfully, &c.,

To His Excellency Gov. Wm. F. Packer, Harrisburg, Pa.

To Judge J. S. Black, of Penn., he also writes:—

I have an abiding faith that if we can draw a proposition from the people of any one of the Southern States before things get too far, all may yet be well.

If you think with me, please lend a hand to stir up Pennsylvania to mediate, and send a commissioner for the purpose.

In haste, yours truly,

Right in the middle of the Atlantic, On board steamer 'New York,'

I sailed from New York 28th Oct, arrived in London 14th Nov., left again Nov. 27th, and sailed from Southampton