DEAR HILL,--Have just read Lincoln's inaugural.--It is just right and pleases us much. Not a word too much or too little. He assumes the tone and temper of a statesman of the olden time. God bless him--and keep him safely to the end.--Are you coming home to see us ere you depart hence? You could unfold to us a chapter that would be spicy, rich and rare. We were at first disposed to regret Lincoln's hasty trip from Harrisburgh. But the action of the crowd at Baltimore convinces us that it was the most prudent course to pursue.... O. F. HARMON. ON BOARD STEAMER WARSAW, March 8, 1861. DEAR LAMON,--I got home a week ago. I have heard a good many things said pro and con about the new administration, and as far as I have heard the mass of the people have confidence in Mr. Lincoln, and this applies to the people of the border slave states as well as the free states. But it is not worth while to disguise the fact that a large majority of the free states in the Northwest are opposed to _Ultra measures_ and the people of the slave states are almost unanimous against coercion. Many appointments that have been made by the new administration were unfortunate. It must necessarily be so with all administrations, and Mr. Lincoln has had more than his share of trouble in making his selection. I fear that a majority of the Senators on our side care but little for his success further than it can contribute to their own glory, and they have had such men appointed to office as they felt would serve their own purpose without any reference to Mr. Lincoln and but little for the party.... As far as I could see when at Washington, to have been an original friend of Mr. Lincoln was an unpardonable offence with Members of Congress.... I have the utmost confidence in the success of Mr. Lincoln but I do not expect his support to come from the radical element of our party.... Your true friend, HAWKINS TAYLOR. HON. W. H. LAMON. STATE OF ILLINOIS, SECRETARY'S OFFICE, SPRINGFIELD, March, 18, 1861. WARD H. LAMON: DEAR HILL,--My brother is foolish enough to desire an office.--When you see him, and this, if he still _insists_ that he has as good right to a place as anybody else, I want you to do for him, what you would for me. No more, no less--... Your friend, O. M. HATCH. March 19, 1861.