Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Post image for Beset by secessionists.

Beset by secessionists.

November 25, 2010

Turning on the Light: A Dispassionate Survey of President Buchanan's Administration, From 1860 to its Close, by Horatio King

(Confidential.)

P. O. Dept., November 25,1860.

My Dear Sir,—I have good reason to believe that the President is beset by secessionists, who are almost exclusively occupying his attention ; and it is important that the true friends of the Union should do all in their power to strengthen his hands. Why will you not either write or come and see him, and get all the strong men of your city to do the same? I cannot call names, but rest assured what I tell you is true. The course of the ‘Constitution’ is infamous, but the President, I presume, has no means of controlling it. Pray let him hear from you all in a most decided manner on this subject. Let him know how much the paper and suspicions of disunion influences near him are injuring him.

Stephens’s speech is admirable; but observe that you do not see it, or anything like it, in the ‘Constitution.’ Get the papers to come out and denounce the ‘Constitution.’ You may rely upon it, all its secession articles are directly against the feelings of the President.

As the existence of the Department depends on the stability of the Union, I shall treat this as ‘on official business.’

Yours truly,

Horatio King.

HON. John A. Dix, New York.

Post image for The whole weight of his influence

The whole weight of his influence

November 25, 2010

Turning on the Light: A Dispassionate Survey of President Buchanan's Administration, From 1860 to its Close, by Horatio King

Washington, November 25,1860.

My Dear Sir,—I would call and report to you what I know of the feelings of your friends whom I met recently in a flying visit to my native State, but that I know you are much occupied. May I not, therefore, be allowed to say to you briefly, in writing, that their most anxious desire is that the President will cast the whole weight of his influence against the secession movements at the South and in support of the Union? Among those whom I met was General Dix, who, of course, is greatly concerned with reference to the present excitement. He had written both to Mr. Cobb and Mr. Breckinridge, pressing them to come out boldly against secession. The inclosed note from him may be interesting to you. You need not trouble yourself to return it.

I hope I shall not be deemed obtrusive. My great desire is that the Union may be preserved, and that in your noble efforts to that end you may know that all your true friends will stand by you to the last.

I have the honor to be,

Very sincerely your friend,

Horatio King.

His Excellency, James Buchanan.