The celebrated Thomas Brown, of is now engaged in cutting your head on a beautiful cornelian stone, as your private seal, which will be set in gold to your order, and sent to you. It will be a gem, and just what you want. His sister is a member of your . The expense of this seal set in gold will be about $40. and Mr. Brown assures me that if he were not so poor a man he would present it to you free. You can, however, accept it or not, as he can apply it to another use. I am, myself short for cash, for although I had sometime since $2000. paid me by the Harpers, publishers, as the first installment on the purchase of my copy right, yet I had got so much behind during the hard times that it all went to clear up old scores. I expect $38,000. more, however, in semi-annual payments from those gentlemen, within the limits of ten years, a large portion of which I intend to use in the State of , in the purchase and conduct of a large tract of land, and therefore should I be compelled to announce, in this quarter that I have no connection with the ; you will, of course, remain silent, as I shall do it in such a way as will make all things right.

I may yet run for a high office in your , when you would be sure of my best services in your behalf, therefore a known connection with you would be against our mutual interest. It can be shown that a commission in the legion was a Herald hoax, coined for the fun of it, by me, as it is not believed even now by the public. In short I expect to be yet, through your influence, Governor of the State of .

My respects to , , , and all friends.

Lieut.-Gen. Smith.

P.S. As the office of inspector general confers no command on me, being a mere honorary title, if, therefore, there is any gentleman in who would like to fill it in a practical way, I shall with great pleasure and good will resign it to him, by receiving advice from you to that effect. It is an office that should be filled by some scientific officer. . [p. 372]