Autograph copy of a letter signed : Cambridge, Massachusetts, to William D. Sohier, 1832 Mar. 24.

Replying to concerns among the vestry concerning a disagreement with Mr. Doane; saying that if by "disagreement, it be meant that Mr. D. & I hold different opinions about sundry matters, this is true, and I believe you know the points of difference as well if not better than most men. Like every other man who exercises the right of thinking for himself & of expressing his thoughts with undisguised frankness, I advocate some ideas which do not meet with universal acceptance amongst my clerical brethren........But if by this word 'disagreement' be meant, as I presume to be most likely, that a quarrel, altercation or personal controversy has arisen between us, then I can only say that I know of nothing of the kind;" adding that it is not "clear that any anonymous statement of this kind is a proper subject of grave investigation. The best of people will talk, nay they will insensibly misunderstand each other......The best ground on which to rest this matter seems to me to be this. Let my friends of Trinity Church take it for granted that all is right between their ministers so long as they know nothing to the contrary, and let them be assured that if ever we should disagree so as to make it worth talking seriously about, I shall not leave them to gather the information from any other quarter, but shall remove the difficulty by a speedy resignation."