3 _o’clock_. I sent your letter to the President. In answer he thus writes: “Say to Mr. Buchanan that he will not be required to go out before next winter or spring, that he may reach St. Petersburg on the breaking up of the ice—unless something more than is now expected arises, when the President will rely upon Mr. Buchanan’s patriotism to proceed. He will have sufficient time to arrange his affairs.” [BUCHANAN TO EATON.] LANCASTER, June 12, 1831. DEAR SIR:— After the receipt of your last kind letter of the 7th inst., with the extract from the President’s note to you annexed, granting me all the indulgence I could have desired, I can no longer hesitate to accept the Russian Mission. I fear that the necessary arrangements, both of a professional and private character, which I must soon begin to make preparatory to leaving the country—together with the study of the French language, which I intend to commence—may disclose the fact that this Mission has been offered to me and accepted. Indeed, from the publications in the newspapers it was believed by many before I had any intimation that such an intention existed on the part of the President. Is there any reason why I should for the present defer these preparations? Please to present my grateful compliments to the President, and believe me to be Sincerely your friend, JAMES BUCHANAN. Hon. JOHN H. EATON. [EATON TO BUCHANAN.] WASHINGTON, June 15, 1831. DEAR SIR:— On receiving your letter this morning I referred it to the President, and he has returned me a hasty note, which I enclose to you. It is quite like himself, candid and frank. With great regard, yours, J. H. EATON. [EATON TO JACKSON.] DEAR SIR:— I send you a letter to-day received from Mr. Buchanan. What shall I say to him? Yours, J. H. EATON. [JACKSON TO EATON.] DEAR SIR:— Say to him in reply, to go on and make his preparations and let the newspapers make any comments that they may think proper, and mind them not. It is only necessary that _he_ should not give them any information on this subject—the journals will say what they please, and be it so. Yours, A. J. [LIVINGSTON TO BUCHANAN.] (Private.) WASHINGTON, August 2, 1831. MY DEAR SIR:—