Oliver Johnson writes in regards to George Thompson's reception, informing Garrison that he regrets not having had the chance to see Wendell Phillips prior to his meeting with Ballard of the Young Men's Republican Union. Johnson states his belief that the "affair might have been better managed", and declares that the overall effect of Ballard's errors was to create the impression that the reception was "somehow identified with Gen. Fremont as a Presidential candidate". Despite this, Johnson stresses that the event was a success, and that it has "served to bring Mr. Thompson in a very favorable light" in New York.