Concord, N. H., December 14, 1852.
My Dear Sir:—
Language fails me to express the sincere gratitude I feel for your kind and noble letter of the 11th inst. I cannot now reply as I ought, but lose no time in expressing my deep sense of obligation. I ought, in justice to the citizens of Pennsylvania who have visited Concord during the summer and autumn, to say that I do not recollect a single individual who has ventured to make a suggestion in relation to yourself, calculated in the slightest degree to weaken my personal regard.
It is far from my purpose to hasten to any conclusion in relation to my cabinet.
It is hardly possible that I can be more deeply impressed than I now am as to the importance of the manner in which it shall be cast, both for the interests of the country and my own comfort. I cannot, however, view the advantages of my presence at Washington in the same light with yourself, though having no object but the best interests of our party and the country; personal inclination and convenience will, if I know it, have no weight upon my course in any particular.
I must leave for a future time many things I desire to say. Do you still anticipate passing a portion of the winter at the South?
With sincere regard, your friend,
Frank Pierce.
[MARCY TO BUCHANAN.]
Washington, March 5, 1853.