Hon. Wm H. English

Your letter came to hand in due time but found me very busily engaged in the harvest time of the farm and was laid aside for a more convenient time and then forgotten.

Coming across the letter today I will write, though it may be too late for your book. The sketch you have is very short and imperfect.

Was born on the 21st of Oct in 1827 in Caledonia Co., in Vermont. Came to Indiana with my parents ten years later. Entered the office of the “Wayne Co., Indiana Record”, published in Old Centreville in ’43 as printer’s devil; ran away before my time was up in 46. Started and 8 by 10 weekly paper in the town of Milton. In ‘48, when the great “free soil” uprising was had, I became the boy partner of Rawson Vaile in publishing the “Free Territory Sentinel” and for pay, had the satisfaction of helping to send Geo. W. Julian to Congress. You are well acquainted with this bit of political history. I am satisfied with and somewhat proud of the ends we reached.

I am a farmer and belong to no church.

Politics = Well I am a Democrat and all that that means. I am so much of Democrat that I have a Unknown opinion that the Mills bill is only a halfway measure of relief; but I only say this to discreet Democrats.

I was a charter member of the Republican party and voted the ticket straight up to the candidacy of Peter Cooper. Since that election I have voted the Democratic ticket.

I have never held office, other than you are informed, and shall never seek to do so. I am a farmer and only ask for fair play of others in interest for my business. To this end I shall give some of my time and energy to the success of the Democratic Ticket. Perhaps with the facts you have and these I give you, you may prepare a sketch that will suit your work. I wish you much success in the undertaking.

The Democracy of Perry held a rousing Co., convention yesterday. The crowd was simply immense. Immense in enthusiasm as well as numbers. We placed a good Co., ticket in the field and the best of feeling prevailed all along the line. So you may write us down at headquarters as united, untamed and jubilant Democrats.
Accept regards,

Philip Smith”