It mortified me to see that some of the newspaper writers speak of it as the "taking of a position"; as if it contained something new for me to say.

You are not one of them, my dear sir, but there are those who will not believe that I am an anti-slavery man unless I repeat the declaration once a week.

I expect they will soon require a periodical affidavit.

You know, that as early as 1830 in my speech on Foote's resolution, I drew upon me the anger of enemies, and a regret of friends by what I said against slavery, and I hope that from that day to this my conduct has been consistent.

But nobody seems to be esteemed to be worthy of confidence who is not a new convert.