and the amount of the expense repaid as soon as it is known. Your old and truly sincere friend, EDWARD COLES. TO NICHOLAS BIDDLE, ESQ., PRESIDENT OF THE BANK OF THE UNITED STATES, PHILADELPHIA. MR. BIDDLE TO GOVERNOR COLES PHILADELPHIA, May 20, 1823. _Dear Sir:_ I have just received your friendly letter of the 22nd ult., to which I shall take the first moment of leisure to give a more detailed answer. In the meantime I can only say that I feel most sincerely the embarrassment of your situation, and hope that you may be able to triumph in the good cause. That no effort may be wanting, you shall have all the assistance which I can give or procure. My occupations necessarily absorb so much of my time that I can promise you little on my part, personally, but I have already engaged two of our most active gentlemen familiar with that subject, who will cheerfully and zealously contribute to your support. The first fruit of their labor is the pamphlet accompanying this letter. I have not had time to read it, as I am anxious to forward it without delay, but I understand that it is the latest and best work on the subject, and goes directly to the question of the superiority of free over slave labor. Mrs. B. and Mr. Craig are glad to hear of your prosperity, and desire to be particularly remembered to you. With great sincerity of regard, yrs., N. BIDDLE. EDWARD COLES, ESQ., Vandalia. MR. BIDDLE TO GOVERNOR COLES PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 1823. _My Dear Sir:_ My present occupations necessarily engross so much of my time that I can scarcely contribute more than my good wishes to the great cause which so naturally and deeply interests you. It gives me peculiar satisfaction, therefore, to procure for you the correspondence of my friend, Mr. Roberts Vaux, to whom this note is intended to serve as an introduction. Mr. Vaux is a gentleman of education, talents, fortune, leisure and high standing in the community. He feels sensibly all the embarrassments of your situation; he perceives the deep importance of defeating this first effort to extend to the north-western country the misfortunes of the slave population and he is disposed to co-operate warmly and zealously with you. I know of no individual more calculated to render you the most efficient service. He is worthy of all your confidence, and I recommend to you to yield it to him implicitly, as I am sure it will be repaid by every kindness and every service in his power. With great esteem and regard, yrs., N. BIDDLE.