of the country, a great point will be gained. If the border states can be retained, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas will soon be back. If the others never come back, there will be no great loss. But I believe Georgia and Alabama will also soon want to return.

"If for any decent excuse the Govt. could withdraw the troops from all the southern fortifications, the moment this is known N. C., Va., Md., Del., Ky., Tenn., Md. and I believe Arkansas are certainly retained. The only thing now that gives the secessionists the advantage of the conservatives is the cry of coercion that the whipping of a slave state, is the whipping of slavery.

"When these states come back as many of them will they will come with the fortifications. If they do not find it to their interest to return let them keep their plunder-or if any whipping is to be done let it be after the other slave states have certainly determined to remain.

"The present excitement should be allowed to pass away as soon as possible without fighting."

"Confidential.

"GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, March 12, '61. "You must attribute my annoyance to the great anxiety I have about the threatening aspect of things in the south. The seceders would give a kingdom for a fight in some of the seceded

states.

"If the administration could yield the forts &c. under some suitable terms avoiding the right of secession, and that question be left open for the decision of Congress, it would be a grand movement.

"Under a proclamation, reciting the conduct of the late Cabinet and Executive, laying the whole blame on them, and this could be done with great propriety and would do great good. If the seceding states come back as they certainly will if let go out into the cold a while they will come back with all the forts Public property &c.

"In less than two years in these states in their state elections for members to their state legislatures it will become a question. whether the candidates are for reversing the order of things, are for calling conventions, and for retroceding. This will be

certain to happen. Louisiana will be the first to move, and then all but South Carolina will follow, and I pray that she may

never come back.

"The great point is to avoid a collision.

"When the border states are once quiet in the Union, they will co-operate with the free states against the seceding. You have the mind to draw up a proclamation, which will withdraw the troops, avoid threatening, and acquiescence in the right of secession.

"You can do it with a proper protestation.

"If this is done, the country will become quiet at once, and the next step will be the gradual return of the erring states. The citizens will quit thinking about war and begin to consider the ways and means of a return.

"The cabinet and administration from and after the time they say [saw?] their party was to be defeated, have been engaged in nothing but a conspiracy most felonious against the Government. They have said to these disunionists—make haste, get out of the way during our time, make hay whilst the sun shines. On their heads let the great crime rest.

"In fact they have let things run until it is out of the power of the present administration with the means and force at command now to correct the evils or put down the rebellion. It is due to the country that all this should be proclaimed and the administration is perfectly justified in waiting for the voice of the remaining states, expressed through the next Congress."

"GREENSBORO, N. C., April 11, 1861.

"When I was assured in your brief reply that in your opinions my suggestions were 'judicious' hope revived within me. I have consoled myself, and duly look for a proclamation in which I should recognize clearly your ability and wisdom.

"I am so deeply distressed that my heart seems to melt within me. I cannot but still believe that the course I suggested would have been wise, and the results had it been pursued most beneficial. . . .

"If what I hear is true that we are to have fighting at Sumter or Pickens, it is what the disunionists have most courted, and I seriously apprehend that it will instantly drive the whole South into secession, and that before the end of another 60

days at Washington City, there will be a contest that makes me shudder to contemplate.

"Truly indeed may it be said that 'madness rules the hour.""

"Confidential.

"GREENSBORO, N. C., April 21, 1861.

"I have been from home, attending my courts up the country, ever since I wrote you some ten days ago. I addressed crowds of Union men. Enthusiastic demonstrations for the Union were given. I was out of the reach of the mails and telegraph. I felt sure that we should overcome the disunionists in N. C. and all the border states. All this in the face of the fight at Charleston. This had done us no harm. But yesterday evening on my return I saw for the first time this Proclamation. Soon thereafter I heard that a volunteer company in my own town, among whom was my only son, had been called for by the Governor, and that they had gone to Fort Macon, Beaufort Harbor. I came home with a sad heart. I found my own friends greatly excited. I was too full to address them. I could not rest last night.

"If I had supposed that the administration, would not pursue the policy, (or something like it) which I had urged on you, I would have returned to Washington, and have gone daily on my knees to it in behalf of my policy and to avert that shedding of human blood which now seems inevitable. Few if any members will be elected from any slave state to the next Congress. All hope is now extinguished. The administration, but doubtless inadvertently, has done the very thing which the disunionists most desired. I cannot learn whether the secession ordinance in Virginia is to be submitted to the people." .

INDEX