Nathan Sargent from Washington Hunt, Sept. 8, 1855

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Lockport, Sept. 8, 1855

Dear Sir:

I have received your letter and am gratified to know that our views of national affairs are in accordance, now as in former and better days.  I am living a retired life and had intended to take no more active part in public affairs.  But many friends called for my opinion on the proposition to transform the Whig Party into a sectional faction.  Having decided views on the subject, I could not refuse to express them without shrinking from an obvious entry.

Your plan of a compromise between the North and South is very judicious and valuable, provided you can shew [show] that it is practicable.  I would rejoice to see the contest ended on such a basis.  But who are the men in the South that will unite in the movement and can they carry a sufficient number