Nathan Sargent from John Crafts (J.C.) Wright, Jan. 16, 1841

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Cincinnati, 16 Jan 1841

My Dear Sir,

Your’s of Dec. last has remained unanswered in consequence of my absence from home for several weeks, on professional business.

As it regards the cabinet you know as much as I do nearly if not quite. Your committees or rather those from your city are rumored to have carried nothing back, but a conviction they had better never left home on the errand they came upon.  The Stevens committee returned likewise with the appearance that upon the principles avowed during the canvass office could not be given as a reward for mere partizan service.  The Gen. has been strongly urged from your state, by each party represented here not to appoint from any other than their own clique - better pass over Penna. altogether.  Not bad advice, in cases like the present, where there are more suitable men then suitable places.  I am satisfied the claim of no one to any place beneath a Cabinet office, can be advance by any application before the inauguration, nor after except through the proper departments.

I was very much pleased with your letter declining the Chester Dinner, and published it at length - it has met general approbation in this region.

I concur most heartily with you in the desire of seeing the Standard of Official qualification raised, from the highest to the lowest office; and in the hope that the selecting may rest upon those having some political information! with tact and experience; but there are so many disturbing