4 Child's Place Temple 25 Oct 1866 My dear Mr. Mason I was very much gratified this morning at receipt of your letter of 10 inst , with news of our unfortunate friend - I greatly fear that O' Conor's hopes will be disappointed and that the winter will find Mr. Davis still in prison, and none could wonder if an additional rigorous season passed in Confinement should prove fatal - It is the most shameful outrage that such a thing should be even possible, but I have ceased to hope any thing that justice or humanity demands from the men who seem now to have uncontrolled power over public affairs in the U.S. - I believe Johnson would willingly release Mr. Davis, but he is apparently Cowed by the overbearing violence of the Radicals and dare not act in accordance with his judgments- McRae is back from the Continent and I showed him your letter half an hour ago - He says he has written to you twice and that you must have received his letters just after writing to me - His address is always "5 St. Helen's Place E.C." Of Macfarland none of us has heard a word for months, but we have been absent & he may still be in the neighborhood - I will inquire to-morrow of your old hostess Miss Lizzy and if she can give me his address I will send him a note - I have as you know been called to the bar and have chosen the Northern Circuit which embraces Liverpool - I have attended assizes once at Liverpool and have no reason as yet to Complain, though I have done very little, as my call was just before the long vacation. But Michaelma [sic] Term commences on the 29th inst, & I may have a chance to appear in some cases - My time is spent in close study, & we have not had a game of [ineligible] since yr departure - I am as much interested in my profession as when I first Commenced as a boy and was rapidly recovering all that I had partially forgotten in the turmoil of public affairs -- I have not seen any of your English friends since your departure as you know that they all disappear from London as soon as Parliament adjourns -- Miss Adrienne Hope is at the eve of marriage and Capt Hayter, a member of Parliament, and son of the former whipper in of the Liberals As it may be very long, if ever, before I can hope to press your hand, I send you my "Counterfeit Presentment" in wig & gown, to remind you of Your truly attached friend, J.P. Benjamin P.S. If you have any photograph of yourself pray send me one - My wife and daughter talked much of you when I was in Paris and would send kind messages if they knew I was writing to you - Please present my best compliments to Mrs. Mason & your daughter-- [Crosswriting on page one] I saw Slidell in Paris, looking well and he inquired warmly about you - J.P.B.