(strictly Confidential.)
washington, November 26, 1860.
Dear Sir: I am aware (and I do not deem it necessary
to specify my source of information) that apprehensions exist in the mind of
the President that before the State acts in convention some attempt will be
made to take the forts in Charleston harbor. Feeling that his personal honor
would be involved in such an attempt, he may make his apprehensions the pretext
or ground on which to order an increased force to those posts. This order will
be resisted to the very last, and at any cost, by the Southern members of the
Cabinet, but they would be incalculably strengthened in their position if you
were at liberty to say directly to the President that you could answer, on your
responsibility, that so long as no change was made in these garrisons, so long
as no additional force was sent there and the State remained in the Union, no
such attempt would be made, and that any increase of force made in the face of
this notice would lead to instant collision, and that for every drop of blood
shed under such circumstances he, and he alone, would be responsible.
I wish you distinctly to understand that there is no
possibility of such an order being issued without the dissolution of the
Cabinet and your receiving ample notice. While I answer for this, I write with
the confidence that such an assurance will prevent any hasty and indiscreet
movement on the part of the State. Believing that you agree fully with me that,
for the sake of the State and of the South, our move toward secession ought to
be regular and orderly, and that all collision should be avoided, and feeling
that the Southern members of the Cabinet are entitled to the support of the
State, I write to you to indicate how you can support them. To that point
alone, this letter is addressed. If it becomes necessary for the State to look
to itself, you shall know promptly and certainly.
If, therefore, you can write such a letter as I indicate,
the Southern members of the Cabinet can rest upon it triumphantly no such order
will be issued in the face of it, and if it is, you will be free to act, will
have ample information as to the necessity of action, and the whole
responsibility of what comes will be, not on the head of South Carolina, but of
the President of the United States.
If so, your letter must be here by return mail, directed
under cover to me. Telegraph me also when this is received, and if you intend
to answer yes or no to my proposition. Details I cannot give you, but trust
that my signature will command your confidence.
I am, yours
respectfully,
wm. Henry Trescot.
To Governor Gist.
SOURCE: Samuel Wylie Crawford, The Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861, p.
30-1
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