e where
the question shall come up be, like that of Belknap, strongly
affected by party feeling.

President Monroe said: "The right of impeachment and of trial
by the Legislature is the mainspring of the great machine
of government. It is the pivot on which it turns. If preserved
in full vigor, and exercised with perfect integrity, every
branch will perform its duty."

I received a good many letters expressing approval of my
argument. Perhaps, without inordinate vanity, I may be permitted
to preserve those which follow. The approval of my honored
and beloved instructor, Judge Thomas, gave me special satisfaction.

I am led to publish these letters partly because I think
the opinion of the writers on the question is worth preserving
for future reference, but chiefly, I believe, from what I
hope will be deemed a pardonable vanity. Mr. Sumner, in
editing the thirteen volumes of his speeches, has given in
regard to all of them, letters from friends and correspondents,
expressing his approval. I do not suppose it would ever have
occurred to Daniel Webster to publish similar certificates
as to any speech or act of his.

FROM GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, GOVERNOR; SECRETARY OF THE
U. S. TREASURY; U. S. SENATOR, ETC., TO
JUDGE E. R. HOAR.

UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON, May 8th, 1876.

_My dear Judge,_

It was the opinion of all who heard your brother's argument
in the Belknap case that it was the best of the arguments
yet given and that it will rank with the best at any time
delivered in the Senate.

I do not write this because I was in any degree surprised,
but it cannot be otherwise than agreeable to you to know
that there is a concurrence in the view I have expressed.

Very truly,
GEO. S. BOUTWELL.
To The Honble
E. R. Hoar,
Concord, Mass.

FROM JUDGE BENJAMIN F. THOMAS OF THE SUPREME COURT
OF MASSACHUSETTS.

NO. 9 PEMBERTON SQ
BOSTON May 25th '76.

_My Dear Sir_

I am greatly obliged to you for sending me a copy of your
admirable argument on the question of jurisdiction in the
impeachment case.

The argument is sensible and exhaustive, the style clear,
forcible and attractive and the whole tone temper and spirit
becoming a jurist and statesman.

Very truly yours
BENJ F. THOMAS.
Hon Geo F. Hoar

FROM WILLIAM M. EVARTS, SECRETARY OF STATE; UNITED
STATES SENATOR, ETC.

NEW YORK, May 22, 1876.

_My dear Mr. Hoar,_

I am much obliged to you for sending me your spe