TO THURLOW WEED.1 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, December 17, 1860. MY DEAR SIR:-Yours of the 11th was received two days ago. Should the convocation of governors of which you speak seem desirous to know my views on the present aspect of things, tell them you judge from my speeches that I will be inflexible on the territorial question; but I probably think either the Missouri line extended, or Douglas's and Eli Thayer's popular sovereignty would lose us everything we gain by the election; that filibustering for all south of us and making slave States of it would follow in spite of us, in either case; also that I probably think all opposition, real and apparent, to the fugitive slave clause of the Constitution ought to be withdrawn. I believe you can pretend to find but little, if anything, in my speeches, about secession. But my opinion is that no State can in any way lawfully get out of the Union without the consent of the others; and that it is the duty of the President and other government functionaries to run the machine as it is. Truly yours, TO E. B. WASHBURNE.2 (Confidential.) A. LINCOLN. SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, December 21, 1860 HON. E. B. WASHBURNE. MY DEAR SIR:-Last night I received your letter giving an account of your interview with General 1 The Life of Thurlow Weed, edited by H. A. Weed. • Arnold: Life of Lincoln. Scott, and for which I thank you. Please present my respects to the General, and tell him, confidentially, I shall be obliged to him to be as well prepared as he can to either hold or retake the forts, as the case may require, at and after the inauguration. Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN. TO A. H. STEPHENS.1 (For your own eye only.) SPRINGFIELD. ILLINOIS, December 22, 1860. HON. ALEXANDER H. Stephens. on me. MY DEAR SIR:-Your obliging answer to my short note is just received, and for which please accept my thanks. I fully appreciate the present peril the country is in, and the weight of responsibility Do the people of the South really entertain fears that a Republican administration would, directly or indirectly, interfere with the slaves, or with them about the slaves? If they do, I wish to assure you, as once a friend, and still, I hope, not an enemy, that there is no cause for such fears. The South would be in no more danger in this respect than it was in the days of Washington. I suppose, however, this does not meet the case. You think slavery is right and ought to be extended, while we think it is wrong and ought to be restricted. That, I suppose, is the rub. It certainly is the only substantial difference between us. Yours very truly, A. LINCOLN. Barrett: Life of Lincoln. MEMORANDUM.1 December [22?, 1860. Resolved: That the fugitive slave clause of the Constitution ought to be enforced by a law of Congress, with efficient provisions for that object, not obliging private persons to assist in its execution, but punishing all who resist it, and with the usual safeguards to liberty, securing free men against being surrendered as slaves. That all State laws, if there be such, really or apparently in conflict with such law of Congress, ought to be repealed; and no opposition to the execution of such law of Congress ought to be made. That the Federal Union must be preserved. TO D. HUNTER. (Confidential.) Springfield, ILLINOIS, December 22, 1860. MAJOR DAVID HUNTER. MY DEAR SIR:-I am much obliged by the receipt of yours of the 18th. The most we can do now is to watch events, and be as well prepared as possible for any turn things may take. If the forts fall, my judgment is that they are to be retaken. When I shall determine definitely my time of starting to Washington, I will notify you. 1 Yours truly, A. LINCOLN. 1 Prepared for the consideration of the Republican members of the Senate committee of thirteen. TO I. N. MORRIS HON. I. N. MORRIS. Confidential.) SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Dec 24, 1860. MY DEAR SIR:-Without supposing that you and I are any nearer together, politically, than heretofore, allow me to tender you my sincere thanks for your Union resolution, expressive of views upon which we never were, and, I trust, never will be at variance. Yours very truly, TO HANNIBAL HAMLIN.1 A. LINCOLN. SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, December 24, 1860. HON. HANNIBAL HAMLIN. MY DEAR SIR:-I need a man of Democratic antecedents from New England. I cannot get a fair share of that element in without. This stands in the way of Mr. Adams. I think of Governor Banks, Mr. Welles, and Mr. Tuck. Which of them do the New England delegation prefer? Or shall I decide for myself? Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN. TO WILLIAM H. SEWARD. (Private.) HON. W. H. SEWARD. SPRINGFIELD. ILL., January 3, 1861. MY DEAR SIR:-Yours without signature was received last night. I have been considering your suggestions as to my reaching Washington somewhat Hamlin: Life of Hannibal Hamlin. earlier than is usual. It seems to me the inauguration is not the most dangerous point for us. Our adversaries have us now clearly at disadvantage on the second Wednesday of February, when the votes should be officially counted. If the two houses refuse to meet at all, or meet without a quorum of each, where shall we be? I do not think that this counting is constitutionally essential to the election, but how are we to proceed in the absence of it? In view of this, I think it is best for me not to attempt appearing in Washington till the result of that ceremony is known. It certainly would be of some advantage if you could know who are to be at the heads of the war and navy departments, but until I can ascertain definitely whether I can get any suitable men from the South, and who, and how many, I can not well decide. As yet, I have no word from Mr. Gilmer in answer to my request for an interview with him. I look for something on the subject, through you, before long. Yours very truly, TO W. H. SEWARD. (Private.) A. LINCOLN. HON. W. H. SEWARD. SPRINGFIELD, ILL., January 12, 1861. MY DEAR SIR:-Yours of the 8th received. I still hope Mr. Gilmer will, on a fair understanding with us, consent to take a place in the Cabinet. The preference for him over Mr. Hunt or Mr. Gentry is that, up to date, he has a living position in the 1 |