Boston April 2, 1853

Dear Bradburn,

     I received your letter this morning and I answer it this early principally for the purpose of saying that I had never before heard the first whisper against Wright’s integrity in insurance matters, and I have no belief whatever that there is any ground for such an accusation against him. It would be very easy for some scoundrel broker, who had been bitten, or had bitten others in stock dealings, to get up a story of being misled by Wright, in order to cover his own folly or fraud. And that, I think, is very likely to be the way in which the accusation arose.

     I am very sorry to hear that you have fallen among thieves. I hope you will get off with a whole skin. It would be deplorable if the money you have invested should be lost. I wish you and Wright could get the control of the Commonwealth, if you could make it pay. And I think you might make it pay, if you could put it on the ground of the old Chionotybe[?], and get it out of the hands of time-serving, milk and water politicians, who are afraid of everything that has any marrow in it. It is now a real dishwater sheet. I passed List in the street this morning – the first time I have seem him for some weeks. His face looks shockingly. I presume he cannot live long. He told me some time ago that the doctors knew nothing about his case. I do not see him in Mr Sewell’s office – presume he has not business conexion with it.

     If you want any particular information about the Commonwealth, Mr Sewell would doubtless give it to you. I presume he is still one of the owners.

     Hildreth and wife returned from Deerfield on Monday last. I saw them Tuesday evening. Mrs. H seemed in as deep grief as the day after the child died. I saw them again on Thursday evening. Both appeared much more cheerful – they had just returned home from a call at Wrights, where they had been to see the famous twins. (Mrs H said as a reason for calling there that she wanted to see some children). One of the twins is named Richard Hildreth, the other Edward Kittredge. The look so much alike that the parents have to keep a mark on one of them to know which is which.

     I should think it likely that William A. White had some political ends in view in going to Wisconsin.

     I hope I shall see Mrs Bradburn when she comes East. She will of course pay Mrs H. a visit.

     I think Robinsons sympathies must have had much to do with the judgment he formed about the controversy between Mann and Phillips. Perhaps my sympathies had the same effect upon me, for I confess that my sympathies are all with Phillips, so far as the constitutional position of the Free Soilers is concerned. With the other matters in fine[?] between them I feel little interest. But I do sincerely wish to see the Free Soilers driven to take some honest position in regard to the constitution. And if there be such a thing as driving them to do so, I think Phillips is determined to do it. He is perfectly willing they should take my position and he thinks it an honest one. He told me the other day that Hunntingdom[?] of Northampton who he said was the best lawyer in the Connecticut valley, adopted my views of the constitution throughout.

     I had a letter from Dr Hoyt the other day. I think I told you he was located a Worcester – he said he was prospering famously.

     My love to Mrs B. and Family.

                                  Yours truly

                                      L. Spooner