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Crawfordville [Ga.], Feb. 24th, 1860.          

          Dear Smith, Some time has past since I heard from you last. I fear you are sick again. Sam McJunkin got home three days ago. He came here but I was at Glascock Court. He doubtless would have been able to give me full information about you but as I did not see him I am the more anxious. In my last I inquired of you after Ward’s bust. Has he finished it or not? Some friend sent me a copy of the proceedings of some art association of which Dr. Stone is President in Washington City. At the exhibition I see this bust of Ward’s mentioned. Still I do not know whether it is finished or not. I have not heard a word from him on the subject since last November or October. If you are well I wish you would find it and after looking at it tell me what sort of a thing it is—is it good or not— well executed I mean—would you from seeing it know for whom it was taken, that is the question, and is the association quick? Nobody here ever thought of me in looking at Sander’s bust! Another thing I would inquire about—that is what has become of Peyton’s article or sketch that you told me some time ago would appear in the Constitutionalist? Is it still on hand, will it appear, or is the idea abandoned? I simply wish to know how the matter stands. If you are not sick I wish you to write to me and give me the news generally. I should like to know what Bright and Fitch are after—who are they for in the Charleston convention—they seem to be dead against Douglas. Who is Vallandingham for? What is the present prospect for Hunter? He is the man above all others I should prefer to see nominated. Still if Douglas should be, I should support him most cordially if ho does nothing worse than he has yet done. This is of course for yourself ; I do not wish to have anything to do with public affairs further than to act my part as a private citizen and do not wish to be figuring in the newspapers in any way. I have been excessively annoyed by the use made of my name in our own newspapers. I do not intend to allow the Milledgeville March convention to connect my name in any way with the Charleston convention. The Presidency is an office I do not want and would not have if I could get it by my own mere volition. Write to me soon. I am now at home but will soon be on the circuit again.