Historic Lincoln Letter- Visits NYC
ALS, dated February 20th, 1861, written from 112 Broadway, New York City. Nathan Howard (1808-1876), author. ~7 1/2 x 4 1/2. 4pp.
Author writes his brother regarding family matters, the death of a family friend's child, and their Aunt. Last several pages in relation to political matters & Lincoln: "How do the Republicans like the complexion of things by this time? Old Abe gave them a little hint of coercion in his Indianapolis speech. Since then, his speeches, if they can be called such, convey to my mind, and I think to many others, his utter incapacity for the duties of the office to which he is elected. He arrived in N.Y. City yesterday, with the comparatively little little excitement- less enthusiasm, and is now, at this hour, I presume, at the City Hall, not far from my office, shaking hands with those of the citizens who choose to call for that purpose. My...strong to go to the City Hall. And he will probably leave tomorrow, unseen by me, unless by accident. As I intimated to you before, and as I firmly believe now, Abe Lincoln will be the President and the government under him will be the government only of those states that cast their states for him- the northern free states. Every day's proceedings at Washington or elsewhere, and I watch them closely, convince me that the whole fifteen slave states will be a unit in southern Confederacy within 2 months. And I don't think the people can be brought to adopt Civil War for the purpose [of] coercing the seceding states. Our government is not strong enough for such a purpose- it never was framed upon the principle of military power. But upon the sentiment of the people- don't well see how the southern states could do any different than to claim proper guarantee for their rights before acknowledging a government brought into power against their consent and against their threats and in treaties- on a platform and principally directly at war with their domestic institution. I have got to the end and will close. Yours, N.H Jr.
[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglass, Presidential History]
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ALS, dated February 20th, 1861, written from 112 Broadway, New York City. Nathan Howard (1808-1876), author. ~7 1/2 x 4 1/2. 4pp.
Author writes his brother regarding family matters, the death of a family friend's child, and their Aunt. Last several pages in relation to political matters & Lincoln: "How do the Republicans like the complexion of things by this time? Old Abe gave them a little hint of coercion in his Indianapolis speech. Since then, his speeches, if they can be called such, convey to my mind, and I think to many others, his utter incapacity for the duties of the office to which he is elected. He arrived in N.Y. City yesterday, with the comparatively little little excitement- less enthusiasm, and is now, at this hour, I presume, at the City Hall, not far from my office, shaking hands with those of the citizens who choose to call for that purpose. My...strong to go to the City Hall. And he will probably leave tomorrow, unseen by me, unless by accident. As I intimated to you before, and as I firmly believe now, Abe Lincoln will be the President and the government under him will be the government only of those states that cast their states for him- the northern free states. Every day's proceedings at Washington or elsewhere, and I watch them closely, convince me that the whole fifteen slave states will be a unit in southern Confederacy within 2 months. And I don't think the people can be brought to adopt Civil War for the purpose [of] coercing the seceding states. Our government is not strong enough for such a purpose- it never was framed upon the principle of military power. But upon the sentiment of the people- don't well see how the southern states could do any different than to claim proper guarantee for their rights before acknowledging a government brought into power against their consent and against their threats and in treaties- on a platform and principally directly at war with their domestic institution. I have got to the end and will close. Yours, N.H Jr.
[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglass, Presidential History]
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