Milton Pa. Nov. 19.
1860
Hon Abraham Lincoln
Dear Sir
For reasons that you will appreciate, I have not written to
you since your nomination & election as President of the U. States. As
Governor of this Commonwealth, I experienced to the full, the annoyance of an
overwhelming correspondence, & sympathising with you I have forborne to
write, unwilling to add to your troubles. Now that the battle is over & the
smoke cleared away, permit an old friend, to congratulate you & the Country
on your triumphant election. Your nomination & election I regard as the
triumph of the great conservative sentiment of the Nation – as National in its
character & object; & designed, I humbly hope, to promote the peace,
the honor and the prosperity of our beloved Country. As a National &
conservative man, I heartily endorsed your nomination & labored in this
State & New Jersey for your election. We have triumphed; ultraism &
sectionalism have been rebuked; and now, my ardent aspirations are, that your
administration may be eminently successful & honorable, alike to yourself
& the Nation.
As you have now turned Cabinet Maker I have no doubt you
have the offer of many Journeymen, to aid you in that business. In what I am
going to say, I have no selfish object to promote – my only desire is the
success of your Administration. It seems to be generally conceded that
Pennsylvania, if she desires it, will be represented in your Cabinet. This I
think would be right; and therefore, without attempting to control your free
action in the premises, permit me to suggest the name of my friend, and our
distinguished citizen Gen. Simon Cameron as a proper person to fill the office
of Secretary of the Treasury. No man in our State is better qualified for that
place – the appointment of no man would give greater satisfaction to our
Citizens & more fully identify your Administration with the protective
policy of the Country. Gen Cameron's tariff record is full & complete,
& his selection for that place would give an assurance to Pennsylvania that
would be of incalculable advantage to our party & your administration. He
would be a safe Counselor – conservative – National & true to all the great
interests of the Country. I know not whether he would accept the place, if
offered to him, as I have had no communication with him on the subject; but as
a Pennsylvanian, – as your personal & political friend, I hope you may, if
consistent with your views of public policy, tender to him that place.
You will need, my dear Sir, all the wisdom – prudence &
calm counsel that you can command. Ultra men should have no place in your
cabinet– you will discard all such – your country & your whole country will
be the object of your solicitude, & may your administration in its vigor,
conservatism & nationality allay all excitement, restore peace & bring
abundant prosperity to our Country.
Remember me kindly to Mrs Lincoln,
Yours very truly
Jas Pollock
SOURCE: Abraham Lincoln Papers
at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
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