"I would willingly," said he to his estimable friend General Lincoln, who had also pressed the subject on him, "pass over in silence that part of your letter, in which you mention the persons who are candidates for the two first offices in the executive, if I did not fear the omission might seem to betray a want of confidence.

Motives of delicacy have prevented me hitherto from conversing or writing on this subject, whenever I could avoid it with decency.

I may, however, with great sincerity, and I believe without offending against modesty or propriety, _say_ to _you_, that I most heartily wish the choice to which you allude might not fall upon me: and that if it should, I must reserve to myself the right of making up my final decision, at the last moment, when it can be brought into one view, and when the expediency or inexpediency of a refusal can be more judiciously determined than at present.

But be assured, my dear sir, if from any inducement I shall be persuaded ultimately to accept, it will not be (so far as I know my own heart) from any of a private or personal nature.

Every personal consideration conspires, to rivet me (if I may use the expression) to retirement.