Showing posts with label Albion K Parris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Albion K Parris. Show all posts

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Israel Washburn Jr. to James S. Pike, June 24, 1850

Washington, June 24, 1850.

Dear Pike: I could not obtain for you any good account of the reciprocity treaty in its details, and therefore sent you nothing in reference to it.

I see that the Maine Hunkers have nominated Albion K. Parris for Governor. They passed no resolutions in the convention approving Nebraska or the Administration. This shows the feeling of Maine upon the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.

Suppose you inquire in the Tribune, ’an you've a mind to, whether Governor Parris is for or against the repeal, for or against acquiescence, and whether, when in Washington, a few weeks ago, he spoke of the measure approvingly, and took credit to himself for discouraging a meeting of the citizens of Portland to protest against it.

Don't you think that the North ought to acquiesce in the Mississippi Compromise repeal? Why should she keep up a perpetual row on this slave question? Why should not Northern Whigs go for acquiescence, a free-trade tariff, and Millard Fillmore?

The address lately issued troubles our weak-backs greatly. They don't like to stand it, and don't dare disavow it. The address came not a moment too soon. Some of our Whigs were hoping to be allowed to slide quietly and silently into acquiescence. Let them wriggle.

In haste, yours ever truly,
I. Washburn, Jr.
J. S. Pike, Esq.

SOURCE: James Shepherd Pike, First Blows of the Civil War: The Ten Years of Preliminary Conflict in the United States from 1850 to 1860, p. 85