Before stating my
case — permit me to introduce myself to you on paper — as a Northern woman, —
wife of Henry P. Duncan of Mississippi & daughter-in-law to Dr Stephen
Duncan. We have all been & are devotedly loyal. & when
I inform you that my husband has had to conceal himself on various occasions —
to avoid arrest & imprisonment for his well-known loyalty —
& that Mr Davis issued orders for my arrest — I shall probably
have said enough in sign & token of our Unionism, although —
if further evidence be required — I can refer you to Mr Seward, —
Genl Halleck, Gen Grant, — Admiral Porter, — Mr Thurlow Weed, Mr Alex.
Hamilton, Mr George Schuyler, & any number of influential
& trust-worthy persons.— So much, then, for our claims on
the protection & justice of our rulers!—
Owing to the
conflicting authority on the Mississippi river — the “protection papers” given
us (as well known loyalists) by Genl Grant & the Admiral have been rendered
null & void. & while one party violated said papers in the name of the
“Treasury De'pt” — (taking books, curtains, & all they
wanted) certain officers (acting under orders from Genl Thomas)
have forcibly seized & impressed our remaining male
negroes. (saving some few who saved themselves by concealment or flight) &
carried them off for service either as laborers or soldiers. — informing my
husband “that all blacks thus impressed would be permitted
to return to the estates to visit their families”! Thus — Genl
Grant's authority — & Gen Halleck's orders — are entirely cancelled.
& if Mr Chase can seize all cotton, — Genl Thomas seize all negroes,
(despite their freedom & our wages) &
if armed blacks can roam over the property at pleasure,
may I ask, My Dear Sir, in what shape “protection” is to
come? We have (in the Duncan family) nine plantations (about
ninety miles above Vicksburg) on the Mississippi river. & owing to the
depredations of the Union troops, — & the enormous loss in
negroes — millions would hardly cover our losses. consequently
it is somewhat natural that we should ask — due protection for the fragment
that remains of a once princely fortune. It seems rather hard, too, that —
as recognized Unionists — we should be made to suffer so peculiarly.
& while anyone hiring our estate from Genl Thomas — can
obtain negro labour, & all needful supplies & provisions — no loyal
citizen (who has perilled his life for loyaltys sake) is permitted to purchase
one pound of food for his starving laborers — or hire his own freed blacks.
neither are they given any choice of masters. but impressed to
make cotton for speculating strangers, — or forced into military service. This
injustice to Unionists speaks for itself. & having
recently returned from a brief visit to that Mississippi region — I can speak
from observation & experience — of the condition of things in that
miserable country.— If we are recognized & acknowledged as faithful &
long-suffering Unionists — can we not have protection from the Flag? &
to you — My Dear Sir — as Chief Magistrate — do I apply for
that “righting” of a great wrong. Our negroes are free.
& we only ask to be permitted (with their consent) to hire the
few that remain. & not to be further molested by either Gen' Thomas, —
or commissioners from the Treasury De'pt.— Gen' Grant & the Admiral desire to
protect us. but — their “papers” are rendered worthless — by the higher law of
Gen' Thomas & others. so — I now ask your authority in the
matter. in order that we may know what to expect, — & whose commands are to
be obeyed? My father-in-law's Unionism has made him so conspicuous both North
& South — that his name may perhaps be familiar to you. — or — you may
perchance have known of him as former Vice President of the “Colonization
Society”. He is Northern by birth & education, & —
although nearly eighty years of age — has exhibited perfect courage &
independence in the maintenance of his unflinching loyalty. yet — it is the
property of this man & his family — that has been depredated & ruined.—
If the oath of allegiance were offered tomorrow on the Mississippi river — it
would be gladly taken by many. but — Gen' Thomas takes pains
to repress & discourage loyalty. & —
as in our case — makes no distinction between Unionist & rebel. All are
punished & pillaged alike. & of what use are Gen' Grant & the brave
Admiral's “papers” or commands — when Gen' Thomas (or others) can veto them! I
have often declared (by tongue & pen) that I would willingly sacrifice
all our property to ensure success to the Union cause. but — never thought that
we were destined to be ruined pecuniarily — on account of
the success of the Flag!
A few lines in
answer would greatly oblige me. My address is care of “Duncan & Sherman.
Bankers. New York”. & trusting that you will see justice administered to us
— I remain, My Dear Sir, with much respect—1
1 Lincoln met with
Mrs. Duncan on at least one occasion in order to discuss her family's property
in the South. See Collected Works, VI, 481.
SOURCE: Papers of Abraham Lincoln at the
Library of Congress, Accessed October 27, 2021
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