Autograph letter signed : Rochdale, to Frederick William Chesson, 1863 November 12.

Turning down an invitation to chair a meeting; explaining that he is sure Mr. Mason Jones will do an excellent job as a speaker at the event, "& further, I think the work of your Society so nearly concluded that I feel it in no degree a duty to travel 400 miles to a meeting on the American question"; adding that England "seems quite settled on the policy of a fair neutrality -- & unless something new & unforeseen arises, I think there is no fear of any folly being committed on our part."