Annapolis March 9th, 1838

Dear Williams

I have received several communications from

you of late but have had no time to thank you for them my

engagements having been such as to render it impraticable.

I have no clerk secretary or any other officer in the chamber

to render me assistance except Mr J. H. Culbreth who has been

kind enough to come whenever I send for him to afford me all

the assistance in his power. I have freedom to nominate a

Secretary of State until the salaries of the officers attached

to the Executive department were finally settled and until I

could have some understanding with some of the gentlemen

of the Senate in relation to the appointment of Mr Culbreth an

opportunity was afforded me a few days since by Msr Tidball

& Goldsborough and to whom I made an appeal in behalf of

the sick & afflicted man now laboring under disease & nearly

brought to the brink of the grave by this supposed prescription

of him. I asked them to contrast my situation with what it

was before the alteration of the constitution. Then I had a

council of friends around me that was ready & willing to

sustain me in all difficulties & to whom I could appeal for

advice & counsel without out any fear of being misled and

with a clerk I knew to be the best qualified man for the

office in the State & who was always ready to carry out my wishes

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as soon as they were made known to him. And now Sirs what

is my situation? I am here in this empty chamber without coun-

-cil without clerk without any friend to whom I can turn to ask

advice or ask for papers, which I often am. I cannot tell where

to find them and members of committees in consequence am obliged to

go to the sick chamber of Mr. Culbreth to obtain this information needed.

Under these circumstances I must be frank & candid with you. I

(nor any other man) cannot get along with a stranger as Secretary in

the office who is unacquainted with this forum & unable to finish the

papers daily called for. I sure(?) know(?) this I would lay down

the office and return once more to my happy home. I told them

I should nominate Mr. Culbreth & that it should rest with them to

determine whether he should be Secretary or not--that I had

sworn that I would do so & that I would consider myself a _____

man if I did not--that I had determined to do so even had Cul

breth withdrawn in consequence of the opposition making against him

on the part of the Senate---This observation was made in answer

to a question asked by one of them if I would persist in nominating

him as if he would not withdraw his name upon being satisfied

that a majority of the Senate was opposed to him---I have

talked with 3 Senators who are friendly to Culbreth and can’t ______

Tidball, Goldsborough and Wright.came(?) here(?) today(?) with an understanding

that the matter was to be discussed fully & frankly

but persons coming in prevented. I understand from President Thomas

yesterday that the sentiments of the Senators seemed to be undergoing

a change. Mr. Ricaud came in to my chamber to explain & apologize

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for his conduct & to say it did not proceed from ________________

for me & that let him vote as he would upon the ________________

his kindest feelings for me--There is one letter of _______

here & elsewhere about this matter and much sympathy felt

for Culbreth and indignation against the Senate for the stand

they have taking in this matter---

I was informed confidentially yesterday that the committee

would report favorably in the case of Culbreth this day. If

so this will make the matter worse for the Senate---

I have written you this hasty scrawl to put you in possession

of all that materially affects me at present & of my situation

_____ this matter in few days more, & you, _____ hear

from me again in relation to this & other matters. Unless

you can come & stay some time with us--burn this

as soon as you read it as it contains matter not fit

to be seen by any one _____ yourself and written humbly

all pretty well---your friend truly & sincerely

                                                            Tho. W. Veazey