Your note of this day is duly Recd The Letters I had the Honor to lay Before you Containing propositions for Building Gun Boats at New London & Stonington was Premature; I presume the report made to the HR Induced their Hasty application Esteeming it a Less error to apply to Soon than too Late, as delays are Often dangerous—The Recommendatory Letter wrote by Colo. Gardiner In favour of Colo. Whipple, Was by no means Intended to supersede or opperate against Mr Smith, Who is a Gentleman of merit & Sound Politics.

Your Reasons Relative to Mr. Tophams Fine & Imprisonment is Cogent & Conclusive. To connive at such atrocious Crimes is Improper—I have Considered It for forty years a Reason dareing or God Provocking Traffic—Permit to observe that an Opinion is prevailing in R Island among the Republicans that they have served the Republican Cause & the Administration faithfully; But in the Distribution of Favours they have been forgotten, They have solicited in Vain. I am Very truly & Respectfully yours