Boston Sept. 30 1860

Gerrit Smith Esq.

     Dear Sir,

          I have yours of the 28^th by Col. Mullen[?].  You mistake mine of the 22d in one particular.  I did not propose that any one should go to New York for testimony until after the new suits should be brought.  Until that be done, I do not see that any pressure can be brought to bear on any of them to induce them to disclose.  But after they see that they are in for it the suits shall be commenced, both the innocent and the guilty will be ready to furnish testimony against others than themselves, on the principle of self preservation, as mentioned more fully in my over last letter. Please look at that letter again.  My proposal to have five or more suits brought laying the damages in each suit, at $300,000 may appear extravagant.  My reasons for this course are these.

     1. The different publishers cannot be included in the same suit.  We must therefore bring different separate suitsagainst them. We wish to bring suits against enough of them the secure us the services of as many as we want in getting testimony.

     2.

last letter. And that seems to me the only way of getting any further testimony. Please look at that letter again.

     If Mr Sedgwick should not assent to my plan, I would propose that we have a meeting (Mr Sedgwick, youself, and myself) and settle upon some definite course and effort to little or no purpose.  I either do not understand all of Mr Sedgewick's plans, or else (as it seems to me) they are utterly inadequate. The consequence is, __ instead of confronting with the each other, At present we seem to be _______ putting directly against each other. Speeding a great deal of precious time and effort  to the _____. I could mee you at any time and place you might assent.

     I retain his Mr Sedgwick's letter and also your draft.

                                  Yours truly

                                  L Spooner