of success. It has for some time been understood that the Union men of your part of the State desire that their wishes shall be potential in the Senatorial question, and I think it has been conceded to a considerable extent elsewhere that their wishes should have a great influence in its determination. I have had reason to suppose that it would be satisfactory to some of your people to select a man outside your own geographical limits; that they cared more for the privilege of making the selection than for the locality of the one selected, and I had reason to believe that others of them would insist not only on the person but on his locality. The resignation of Senator Harlan has precipitated the question, and I learn that my supposition and belief are both correct. Some of your people prefer Mr. Allison, basing their preferences mainly upon his locality. Others prefer some one else. although he may be outside their particular locality. Now, I do not wish to argue the propriety of these preferences. My object in writing you is to learn the position you will occupy, if you have as yet determined what it shall be. You know me pretty thoroughly; you know my past political action; you know all the ins and outs of this local question; and it would be, I think, useless even if it were proper for me to enter upon an argument upon the subject. I know I have not the right to demand your declaration of opinion, and I have had some hesitation as to the propriety of even requesting it; but my anxiety to know where you stand has immpelled me to make the request, and trust to your generosity to excuse the impertinence, if you do not see fit to gratify me. It is but frank and fair to say that I should feel deeply gratified to receive your support, because I know your influence is powerful, but more because of the gratification I should feel at knowing you thought me worthy the high position named. But I say with equal frankness that if your sense of public duty compels you, or induces you, to prefer another to myself, that fact shall make no change in my regard for you. There is no one of my rights that I insist upon more strenuously than that of indulging my preferences in cases of this kind, and I trust I am as ready to yield the same right to others as fully as I claim it for myself. I do not know how the Senatorial question will result. From my stand-point it looks very favorable to me; but of course I hear mostly from friends. Whatever may be the result, I trust those who honor me with their support will never have cause to regret it. Very truly yours, SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD. Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth. OFFICE OF SUPT. OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, Friend Hildreth: Enclosed please find Auditor's warrant for amount of your bill for printing. Your County Treasurer will undoubtedly cash it for its face as it is at par here. I have never charged any thing yet for collecting claims for my constituents, and I certainly will not commence with an old friend who has befriended me so much as you have. Major Carter, Paymaster, called yesterday on his return from Sioux City, where he has been to pay off western troops. He was President of the Bank at McGregor. Andy Felt has been pitching into the Republican ticket, and gives me "particular fits. It is a free country, and I hope he will free his mind and feel better. As ever yours, DETROIT, MICHIGAN, Aug., 21, 1865. Dear Friend: My son Charles is now in Galesburg, Ill., and in a week or ten days he will visit my brother Carlos, at West Union, Iowa. After spending a little time with him it is his intention to "shoulder his knapsack and gun," and foot it out to Charles City. The name is attractive to him! Gen. Grant's visit and the loss of the Pewabic and Traveller, during the last week, has given us much to think of. I had the pleasure of meeting the Lieut. General at Senator Chandler's and spending an evening with him. He told me he remembered me and the little white house on the corner of Russell and Jefferson Avenue very well. You know he lived in my house two years. I predict for him a spacious White House to reside in at the head of Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C., ere long! At present I see he is enjoying himself with his family at Galena, his old home, in a house handsomely furnished and presented by his old neighbors. This is as it should be. He deserves well of his countrymen. Let me hear from you soon, and believe me Ever your friend, Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth. W. A. BACON. ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, THIRD DISTRICT, HON. A. B. F. HILDRETH, Dear Sir: You are aware, ere this, that I am a supporter of Reuben Noble for Congress. not, for old friendship sake, wish you to come down on me, in your paper, too hard. I have the Times and Herald against me, as you see. I don't care for either of them. Dubuque would like to have beaten me, and has been unfriendly since I first got the office. They would rather have a Dubuque copperhead" than me. I In regard to the loan you speak of, I would like an extension of one year longer. By that means I may be able to save a home, in Charles City. have a strong feeling for the citizens of your town and county, which differences in political opinions cannot change. When my motives are fully understood I may not be censured for the position I now occupy. Very respectfully your friend, L. L. HUNTLEY. Assessor Internal Revenue 3d Dist., Ia. DES MOINES, IOWA, March 1, 1867. HON. A. B. F. HILDRETH: Dear Sir: My husband has resigned his office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, owing to ill health, and is now in New York to be doctored. He wishes me to return grateful acknowledgements and thanks for the many favors he has received from you. We read your paper with great interest, and have shown it with pride as coming from the press of Northern Iowa, which we still claim as our home, and to which we expect to return, if Mr. Faville gains a respit from his disease, (the asthma,) of which he now has hope. He resigned with great reluctance, but you know he is too honest to retain an office he cannot fill. He expects to take a trip south, but now he is using the Turkish Baths, and finds them beneficial. He is boarding at Crook's hotel, in New York. Mr. Crook says he once went to school to you in New Hampshire. We send much love to Mrs. Hildreth, whose kind and frequent hospitality we remember with gratitude. I wish she would send me her photograph. Yours respectfully. MARIA M. FAVILLE. FORT ATKINSON, Iowa. April 10, 1867. HON. A. B. F. HILDRETH: Dear Sir: I am in receipt of numerous letters relative to the Governorship. As yet I have avoided taking any decided grounds for any candidate. I have thought that some of the aspirants have shown little discretion in having their numerous virtues constantly heralded from their local press. I have no candidate, nor have the prominent Republicans of this county as yet expressed a preference for any one, the newspapers to the contrary notwithstanding. I, in common with others in this county, believe it desirable that these northern counties should act together if possible. but to do so we should have some understanding. If we are to have the Governor we cannot expect to have the U. S. Senator also; and then, if we find the Governor conceded to us are we bound to take the man who has been selected for us? It seems to me that this movement on the part of the McGregor News, (a paper under control of Col. Merrill,) assumes altogether too much in representing the North as being unanimously in favor of Merrill for Governor. I do know that this county has expressed no such preference. Still, it may do so, but that will depend upon circumstances. I write you because I have known you a long time and know you never go off halfcocked," and have some reason always for what you do say. I wish you would give me your views upon the situation, and to them I should feel bound to pay some respect. I am truly yours. JEDEDIAH BROWN. FORT ATKINSON, Iowa, April 14, 1867. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 11th inst. is received. It is refreshing to receive a letter treating of political men and measures in your candid and frank manner. Its perusal has afforded me |