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
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