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In this letter, Maria Weston Chapman remarks that the political activities of the Whigs will cause the Van Buren party to oppose abolition in the District of Columbia, and "the Van Bs going against it will of course make the whigs still more furious for it...." She argues that the abolitionists must always be in the opposition. Van Buren "has 'dished' himself for the next term--or rather he has cold-hashed himself up." Chapman philosophizes on the attitude of the southern states. Also elaborates on the theme: "When tired men like Dr. [William Ellery] Channing say of the abolitionists 'they go dangerously fast ...'" Chapman refers to the Faneuil Hall meeting, and comments: "They meant it for evil to us, but it was overruled for good to the whole country." She mentions [Nathan] Hale's incivility to Harriet Martineau. If E. Everett gets into Congress, he may turn into a Van Buren man.