It is an unquestionable fact, then, that from whatever cause it may proceed, your tenantry and he, ever since my appointment, have had much intercourse of--not exactly a public---nor can I decidedly term it--a private nature; and it is equally true, that in proportion as this intercourse became extended and enlarged, so did the dissatisfaction of the people increase, until they are now almost ripe for outrage.

I have observed, I think, that poor Hickman never was remarkable for strength of mind, though not destitute of a certain kind of sagacity; and whether his tampering--if it be tampering--with these people,--be the result of a foolish principle of envy, or whether on the other hand, there is anything political in it, I really cannot say.

All I can do is to state the facts, and leave the inference to your lordship's superior penetration.
"If, however, it be the fact, that Hickman could stop to foment this unhappy feeling on your property, still, my Lord, he is not alone in it.

Indeed it is possible that the intercourse between him and them may after all be innocent, however suspicions it looks, I trust and hope it is so--for there are two other families in the neighborhood, who, to my certain knowledge, have, by diffusing wicked and disloyal principles among the tenantry, done incalculable injury.

I had indeed some notion of communicating with government on the subject, but I have not as yet been able to get any information sufficiently tangible to work on.