Autograph letter signed : New York, to the Rev. Dr. Sprague, 1858 December 14.

Commenting on his work and welcoming him as a contributor, saying "...although with a deep sense of the heavy literary burdens already on your shoulders. I should not venture, to any large extent, to avail myself of your friendly offers. Will you allow me also to say that I cannot claim the slightest debt of gratitude on your part because having published an excellent work, it has been my good fortune by a humble word, to call the attention of the public to its merits. I certainly endeavor in the very slight literary notices, which my profession demands of me, to free myself from all personal considerations, & I should regard it almost as a breach of trust to make my position the occasion of either commending a friend or answering an enemy without cause. As I have not the pleasure of even a personal acquaintance with yourself you can certainly ascribe my comments on your productions to no other motive than a sincere conviction of their value. Such work, & so well done, surely must appear to the justice of the critic, without challenging his kindness."