The harvest having prevented me from sending to Alexandria for some days past, is the apology I have to offer for not having returned you an earlier answer to your letter of the 2d inst.

You request me to state whether my notes or recollection of your argument in the African Negro cases, before the last Supreme Court, imputes to you the assertion of the proposition "that slavery, being inconsistent with the laws of God and nature, cannot exist;" or any sentiment or opinion that slavery, as it now exists in the several States, could be, or ought to be, abolished, or attempted to be abolished, or interfered with at all, by the authority of the government of the United States.

I feel no hesitation answering, that no part of your argument maintained any or either of these propositions directly, nor did the general scope of it warrant, in my opinion, the deduction of any such sentiment.— If any thing resembling it was said, or insinuated, it passed by me so entirely unperceived, as to make no impression on my mind, and certainly to have left none upon my memory. The cases did not warrant, or call for, such sentiments; nor can I imagine in what way they could have been made to apply with the least propriety to the subjects under discussion.

Since the receipt of your letter, I have carefully examined my notes, which fully assure me of the faithfulness of my memory.

I am, dear sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,