Your letter of the 29th ulto [ultimo] is at hand. I had anticipated your views in my letter to you of yesterday._ which I sent under cover to Genl [General] Armstrong ,-- lest it might fall into the hands of some one else in your office,__

I had also written to Laughlin and [unclear: received ] his answer on yesterday. He says he is desirous to have Mr Harris 's aid. I think he prefers to remain,__ but will be entirely willing that Harris should lay hold with him,__ and make the Union__ such a paper as the crisis demands.__ Harris is ready at a moments notice. Let it therefore be done. The two can & will make [added: The Union] the great paper of the country for the next 90__ days_ and this is what it ought to be. Both Laughlin & Harris can be well employed their whole time in making it a powerful organ. Let it be done.__ you cannot imagine the importance I attach to it.__ It is indeed indispensible [indispensable]__ that fire & spirit & power should be thrown into [added: it] The Nashville

Whig press must be boldly & promptly [unclear: met ] at every point & driven back__ by exposing their falsehoods & [unclear: misrepresentations ] ._ Can you not in the emergency and for the next 90 days spare more space in the union for political matter._ This is important if you can possibly do it, as I hope you can.__

In haste
your friend

James K Polk

Majr Jno [Major John] P Heiss } Nashville Tennessee }