He congratulates McMaster and his wife on the birth of a son, hoping that the son will be as nearly like his father in all that goes to make up a man, and will inherit some of the virtues of the mother. He has been wardering about, with no object in view. He hopes the Fenians would kick up a respectable row which would have justified his visiting them. He points out that the struggle in Europe has checked his aspirations, but at least he will have the satisfaction of witnessing a war that will shut the Yankee mouth about our "greatest war the world has ever seen." He has not given up his idea of going to Europe, however, Emperor Maximillian and the Cordova Colony Mexico are in a bad way. Magruder is asking for help and the colonists are prisoners. Is it not sickening that Max should prove himself such a poor ruler? The writer sees nothing in the future but Yankee intervention in Mexico and annexation before very long. The war in Europe gives Napoleon an excuse to withdraw and by six months every Frenchman will be gone. As to politics, he bothers little, but can see no chance for the conservatives in Illinois, Indians, Ohio, or Iowa. Missouri is thoroughly conservative, as is Kentucky. But in the former states, the Radicals can only be beaten by using guns and pistols. He thought of going East, but changed his mind, and is rusticating here with his whole family for the summer. It is a pretty place, but awfully Yankee. He encloses a slip for McMaster's address book. Hopes that the new residence is all McMaster desires, and that he does not fear the cholera. :: I-1-n A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.