F. H. Morse to T. H. Dudley, November 19, 1866

Mr. Morse to Mr. Dudley.

Sir: Referring to your letter to me of the 15th instant, permit me to say that I very much regret that it was not in a tone and spirit that would permit me to reply to it. I had hoped you would see the great advantage, viewed in any light, in settling up all these perplexing matters, instead of rushing them into the courts of this country, perhaps to remain for years before the end is reached, without advantage to any one but the legal gentlemen engaged. Your cordial aid and co-operation would be far more agreeable to me than encountering your opposition at all points.

In regard to the statements in my letter to you I will meet what you say in regard to them by simply declaring that they were all true. I did not know of your absence from your post until it was too late for you to reach Liverpool before Wednesday, and I did hasten to inform you of our arrangement with Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co. as soon as I knew where to reach you. My letter must have been in Liverpool when you arrived there on your return from the continent.

In reply to your letter of the 17th, I have to inform you that I have nothing whatever to do with Messrs. Fawcett, Preston & Co. I have had no communication with them either directly or indirectly.

While Mr. Gibbs and I were settling with Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co., Mr. Hull received a notice of your proceedings against Fawcett, Preston & Co., and made the remark. that you were on the wrong track, and that we should get that property under the settlements we were making. This is substantially, if not precisely, what was said, and there the subject dropped, and I have heard nothing more of it until the receipt of your letter this morning. If we can have this property without expense and without resort to legal proceedings, what objection have you or what objection can be raised by any one?

I hope we shall not be obliged to ask the courts to dismiss the suits against Fraser, Trenholm & Co. on the very full and complete authority I hold for making such settlements as I deem expedient and just with persons holding property once rebel. I shall avoid this course if possible, but must resort to it if you continue to decline to take the initiative. Why can’t we act in harmony when it is permitted us by others on such matters? Such certainly is my wish.

Your obedient servant,