Boston, 8th November, '62.
My Dear Sir, —
I send you Mr. Livermore's Memoir on the employment of slaves and Africans
during our Revolution, and call your especial attention to the last half. You
will find it learned, thorough and candid.
The author is a conservative Republican, and his paper was read
before the Mass. Historical Society, which is one of the most conservative
bodies in our country.
I deplore the result in New York. It is worse for our
country than the bloodiest disaster on any field of battle. I see only one way
to counteract it; and this is by the most unflinching vigor, in the field and
in council. Our armies must be pressed forward, and the proclamation must be
pressed forward; and the country must be made to feel that there will be no
relaxation of any kind, but that all the activities of the country will be yet
further aroused.
I am sanguine yet of the final result, although I fear
further disaster; but I am sure of two things, first, this grand Republic
cannot be broken up and secondly, slavery in this age cannot succeed in building
a new Govt. Believe me, my dear sir,
Very faithfully
yours,
Charles Sumner.
SOURCES: Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical
Society, Volume 44: April Meeting, 1911, p. 602-3; The original of this letter
can be found in the Abraham
Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.
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