Townsend Correspondence 1826

              Doct John Townsend 

Brownsville

Pennsylvania

P.S. Spare your time to read this document for there is nothing important in it LbS

Wooster October 17th 1826

Dear John,

I am well aware that the impressions which are resting upon your mind are unfavourable as it regards the sincerity of my friendship owing to the extreme negligence with which I have treated your letter under the dates of the 25th of August. But when I tell you what my real excuse for not writing was I have no doubts but those impressions will be banished like the (cirmatick) links of the rainbow" and the confidence which you once placed in me will be again restored to its original state. I am not ignorant of your anxiety to hear & know all the passing events both small and great which have occurred in a place in which you took as much interest as you did in this.
	But to my excuse, About the time I received your letter this electioneering campaign became very warm and began to present strong evidence of a doubtful contest and to admonish us of the necessity of exerting every nerve in opposition to the Jackson demagogue. Slanders of the most vile and corrupt nature were put forth in the Advocate which it became necessary to (confound) and to lay the facts open to the public that they might judge. Now Doctor you know my disposition you know my prepossesions in favour of that man and that family too well to suppose or think that I would submit to it peaceably and not exert what little talent God has pleased to give me in portraying the unprincipled meanings of those base (calcuminators) the off-scouring of Gods creation. I appeal to yourself to say if you could stand and feel yourself disinterested to hear the character of one on whom you had fondly doted as being the pride and the beauty of him (since introduced) and (culminated) without rising in your might to avenge the injury. Could any one regardless of that duty he owes to his God and his country refuse to espouse the confidential family who have received indiscriminately the most poison darts of slander and infamy which Hell could invent and easily circulate. But my feelings will not allow me to proceed on this subject further my mind recoils at the thought of the savage and inhuman warfare of words which have been resorted to by the opposers of (hol Sloane). Language fails to do their meaness justice; thought cannot comprehend the half of their most wile and diabolical slander. I as a man of principle did espouse their cause I have done all that I could. I have neglected my own business I have made (excuses) 

will make us believe it is right because the (legend?) it in Washington City.____ I must now think of building up my hand a little as I discover I have but a small quantity of paper left and what there is is most wonderfully scattered. So I will bid you goodbye with assurance that I am as formerly your sincere friend. 
(signature)
Doct John Townsend