DEAR GILLESPIE:

Mr. Edwards is unquestionably offended with me in connection with the
matter of the General Land-Office. He wrote a letter against me which was
filed at the department.

The better part of one's life consists of his friendships; and, of them,
mine with Mr. Edwards was one of the most cherished. I have not been
false to it. At a word I could have had the office any time before the
department was committed to Mr. Butterfield, at least Mr. Ewing and the
President say as much. That word I forbore to speak, partly for other
reasons, but chiefly for Mr. Edwards' sake, losing the office (that he
might gain it) I was always for; but to lose his friendship, by the
effort for him, would oppress me very much, were I not sustained by the
utmost consciousness of rectitude. I first determined to be an applicant,
unconditionally, on the 2nd of June; and I did so then upon being
informed by a telegraphic despatch that the question was narrowed down to
Mr. B and myself, and that the Cabinet had postponed the appointment
three weeks, for my benefit. Not doubting that Mr. Edwards was wholly out
of the question I, nevertheless, would not then have become an applicant
had I supposed he would thereby be brought to suspect me of treachery to
him. Two or three days afterwards a conversation with Levi Davis
convinced me Mr. Edwards was dissatisfied; but I was then too far in to
get out. His own letter, written on the 25th of April, after I had fully
informed him of all that had passed, up to within a few days of that
time, gave assurance I had that entire confidence from him which I felt
my uniform and strong friendship for him entitled me to. Among other
things it says, "Whatever course your judgment may dictate as proper to
be pursued, shall never be excepted to by me." I also had had a letter
from Washington, saying Chambers, of the Republic, had brought a rumor