March 17, 1865 pg 2

fully returned. However insensible I
may be of the "grand passion", I assure
you I appreciate the high compliment
you have paid me, and do most
sincerely wish your affection had been
more worthily bestowed, but what is, is,
and it only remains to make the best
of it whichever way it ends. My
conscience smites me that I am not
more decided, -- that I do not either
make an unconditional surrender
or beat an inglorious retreat. You
may be sure I shall do one or the
other before many weeks. Justice to
you demands it, and my rule is, do
right at all hazards, when it is
plain which is right.

Your letter was received Wednesday, and
has been read -- how many times I shall
not say because your vanity is already
large enough, thanks for it, but -- more

fully returned. However insensible I
may be of the "grand passion", I assure
you I appreciate the high compliment
you have paid me, and do most
sincerely wish your affection had been
more worthily bestowed, but what is, is,
and it only remans to make the best
of it whichever way it ends. My
conscience smites me that I am not
more decided, -- that I do not either
make an unconditional surrender
or beat an inglorious retreat. You
may be sure I shall do one or the
other before many weeks. Justice to
you demands it, and my rule is, do
right at all hazards, when it is
plain which is right.

Your letter was received Wednesday, and
has been read -- how many times I shall
not say because your vanity is already
large enough, thanks for it, but -- more