To Benjamin F. James1Jump to section
Yours enclosing the article2Jump to section from the Whig is received. In my judgment you have hit the matter exactly right. I believe it is too late to get the article in the Journal of this week;3Jump to section but Dickinson4Jump to section will understand it just as well from your paper, knowing, as he does, your position towards me. More than all, I wrote him at the same time I did you. As to suggestions for the committee, I would say appoint the convention for the first monday of May---as to the place, I can hardly make a suggestion, so many points desiring it. I was at Petersburg saturday and sunday; and they are very anxious for it there. A friend has also written me, desiring it at Beardstown.5Jump to section
I would have the committee leave the mode of choosing delegates to the whigs of the different counties, as may best suit them respectively. I would have them propose, for the sake of uniformity that the delegates should all be instructed as to their man, and the delegation of each county should go as a unit. If, without this, some counties should send united delegations & others divided ones, it might make bad work.
Also have it proposed, that when the convention shall meet, if there shall be any absent delegates, the members present may fill