I learn with real grief1 from your favor of the 13th that you are still unsuccesful in your endeavors to better your situation. but grief however afflicting is unavailing2 where there is no power to relieve. had I that power it should certainly be exercised in your behalf.3 you request me to give you a certificate specifying that ‘when I nominated you to the Senate when your appmt took place I intended that your salary should commence from the date of your commn’ but this is what I cannot certify with truth, because at the time of signing4 I had no thought on the subject. having subscribed the commission, my office was performed, every thing respecting compensn was of course to be left to the law and to those to whom it assigned those duties. and nothing occurring5 to draw my attention to that subject I could not then have in my mind any intention respecting it. again you wish me to give it as ‘my opinion that you ought to be allowed the same outfit and allowance to pay your expences home and for clerk hire, stationery, extra service Etc as has been allowed to others.’ but, dear Sir, can I a private citizen6 with any propriety or decency obtrude my opn on the officers establd by law7 to decide these questions and to whom I have no authority to offer opn or advice? they might justly treat it as an impertinent interference8 in matters with which I have nothing9 to do, equally assuming on my part and disrespectful to them.10 you must be so kind then, good Sir, as to excuse my stepping beyond the line of just11 respect for the officers of govmt, and with my sincere regrets that your case is beyond the reach of any good offices which I can render I pray you12 to remain assured of my real esteem &13 sympathy