Annotation
[1] ALS, owned by The Rosenbach Company, Philadelphia and New York. This communication was enclosed with another written by John J. Hardin as follows:
Dear Madam Springfield Decr 11th 1839
As the humble but honored instrument, selected to forward to your Honoress the for[e] going memorial of our grievances & petition for redress, I present therewith my most hearty congratulations at the prospect of your returning health, of your ability to undergo another seige at the seat of Government. The fact is madam, that in your absence business will not progress with its accustomed facility---and now when both yourself & my distinguished lady are away, they cannot even begin operations. There is no doubt if you were here, there would be extensive improvement in the important business, of visiting, conversation & amusement.
In consideration of our distressed situation Mr Butler has promised to give you up his parlor, but if there is any difficulty on that point I promise as a gallant knight to give you the privilege of hanging up on a peg in my closet, whenever it may suit your convenience.
I have been visiting the ladies this evening, they say it will be quite gay this winter---several ladies from a distance are here, with the intention of spending the winter. Mrs H will be here next week. The members are very much scattered in location, but we have quite a pleasant society in this House.
Many others besides your humble petitioners are inquiring for your Honoress & are anxiously awaiting your arrival. His Excellency will be considered, when you arrive, as the minor part of the Quincy Delegation. We trust therefore to have your Honoress here by the 25th inst, as a living Christmas present as large as life, twice as natural & three times as agreable.