U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull, an Illinois supporter of Abraham Lincoln's and long-time acquaintance of Delahay, writes from Washington, D.C., to thank Delahay for his efforts in the recent campaign. The senator hopes his friend would be rewarded by his fellow citizens; "It would give me sincere pleasure to see you in the Senate from the new State of Kansas . . ." Trumbull also comments on the secession crisis, the failures of the Buchanan administration, and the absolute necessity for the government to resist the withdrawal of states from the Union.