I repeated it with a disclaimer ~~ I added to the post

--I do not put these forward as clinching arguments ~~ I admit I haven't entirely researched the matter, just read 'Bury My Heart' &c, & my views are thus of necessity second-hand~~ but simply as points to consider. ---

So keep your spleen alive, if it makes you happier; but that seems a good enuf caveat to me that I didn't take the assertion seriously either. Just stop going on at me about it, because I am getting very bored, & you are not usually such a boring old fart, Kendall. Don't know what has got into you.