thy services, and it will always be among the purest
consolations of my mind to be assured of thy welfare and
happiness; with these impressions I salute thee, and remain
faithfully,

Thy Friend,
ROBERTS VAUX

To EDWARD COLES,
Governor of Illinois.

P. S.--I yesterday passed half and hour with our friend, N.
Biddle; he is well, but very much occupied with official duties
at the bank.

ROBERTS VAUX TO GOVERNOR COLES

_Dear Friend_: The last intelligence from Philadelphia is, that
the great question which has so long agitated your State, and
which had a bearing so important upon the common interests of
humanity, and justice, has been determined. Happy for your
commonwealth! Creditable for our country! Slavery will not be
permitted to overrun Illinois! The result of the conflict is
truly joyous; you have said to the moral plague, "_Thus far, but
no farther, shalt thou come._"

My warmest congratulations are tendered on this great event,
though I know how inferior all exterior circumstances must be in
comparison with the heart-solacing reward which is reaped by thy
devotedness in this noble cause.

Since I have been at my summer residence, I have received several
numbers of an Illinois newspaper, and a pamphlet from the same
quarter, all which contained highly interesting matter relative
to the question then undecided in your State; I presume I am
indebted to thy kindness for those documents, for which I feel
greatly obliged. The letter of Thos. Jefferson addressed to
thyself, is very interesting, and I have it in contemplation to
cause it to be printed in a tract form, for general distribution,
provided such use of it, may be altogether agreeable to thee.

I have indulged myself with a hope that it may be within the
range of probability, that thee will make a visit to Philadelphia
ere long. Not anything would give me more pleasure than thy
presence in our city, and that gratification would be increased
by thy making my house thy home. I have much more to communicate
than I have leisure now to put on paper, as we are today
preparing to return, on the morrow, to our house in town.

With sincere regard I remain thy friend,