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Mr. Marsh.

As you are probably aware Powers has issued a scandalous pamphlet, in which he abuses the committee and all who have not sided with him and been in subjection. I am not possessed of one of the documents but a friend loaned me one which I was under the necessity of returning. He has published a lot of affidavits and as many of them relate to questions once at issue before the committee I have thought the opportunity a good and proper one to get before the public those put in by myself, also the letters of resignation c. which will set the whole matter right before the public. While I would refrain from anything like a review or any reply that could be construed into an honorable notice of his "Star Chamber" pamphlet I may properly enough put before the public such incidental facts as will -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- tend to counteract any bad influence that might come from what he has published as "Sworn evidence" I have been sacrificed on the alter for him and must guard my reputation. He is a man bad enough to injure me all he can, and will exert himself to the utter most. I propose to publish at the end of my statement such certificates as I had in the case, and then leave the public to judge.

I wish you to do me the favor of writing such an opinion of me, my intentions concerning the work on the Capitol, and qualifications for the work as your experience with me will justify you in doing.

An article or rather some brief statement of the kind will be of more service than anything you can now do for me.

I have hosts of friends in all parts of -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- the State who assure me of their Sympathy and all are unanimous that his present seeming success is but a worse defeat.

The people at M. are so far as I can judge, my friends. There are one or two there who are for him but the mass are for me. They are unrighteously under him and he is for the present ruling them. I am not much sorry for them since they lack the back bone to stand up they should be permitted to lie down. They do not correspond with me at all. Tom is in his way carrying on the work. The steam boiler project is dead. The wooden stairs are not put up yet, but I hear the men are to go up with them soon. Bradley was here last week and read my manuscript.

Yours truly

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