1833 October 17, Bloomsdale, to William D. Cope

              Bloomsdale Oct. 17th 1833.



"I long have thought my absent friends, a something to have sent you,

Tho' it should serve nae other ends, than just a kind memento."



Thy letter bearing date of twenty seventh of last month- came to hand after some detention- and has determined me to set about writing immediately- as I owe it, both to my duty, and my feelings, to send a speedy reply to thy communication- containing intelligence of a nature- which astonished & vexed me not a little.  I was astonished, thee should suppose me to be the author of that document, styled by thee, the "witty letter;" and vexed, that any one should descend to such meanness- as thus to endeavour to practice upon thy credulity.  As for me, I must disclaim all knowledge or connection with it in any way- and I do not envy the person who could be guilty of such an action- any of the wit it displayed- or grammatical learning- which if I understood thee rightly it is woefully deficient in.



By the bye, I am much indebted for the compliment, of having so fine a piece of wit and learning, attributed as the production of my hand and pen- at the same time I will frankly own- from some expressions in thy letter- I think the shadow of a doubt more than [---] crossed thy mind as to my being in reality, the author.



And now the question is- who can have been the offenders and against whom are we to direct our honest indignation? for I assure thee I feel no small share- I have not the slightest idea who it can be and yet some one it wd. seem, who had some knowledge of the circumstances- must have had a hand in it.  I think the want of learning displayed- could only have been a part of their plan to avoid detection- and not from real ignorance of the rules of grammar.  I've a womans curiosity to see the letter, and know all about it.