SEMINARY, January
20, 1861.
MY DEAR FRIEND:
Yours of yesterday was read with painful interest last night along with Mr.
Sanford's two, which I herewith return. Of course now that reason is powerless
and the truth cannot be reached through the clouds of mistrust, suspicion, and
mutual accusations which envelop us, we are all drifting together no one knows
whither.
I was waiting as patiently
as a red-headed person could, for the official acts of the convention charged
with the destiny of Louisiana, when tidings reached me that Governor Moore had
caused the seizure of the forts and arsenals, and had driven away with ignominy
the small garrison posted among friends for the protection of the dangerous
instruments of war. For this I see no justification and feel compelled to
announce my determination by letter in the terms I have previously done to Dr.
Smith in the presence of Mr. Elgee. Dr. Smith gave me his personal assurance
that in no event should I be called on to do any act compromising my national
character and preferences.
But fearing some
unforeseen cause might render him powerless I resolved to move officially and
therefore addressed to Governor Moore a letter of which the subjoined is a copy
— and at the same time wrote him and Dr. Smith each, other private letters with
the view to convey to them the personal reasons for my choice. [See pages
341-346.]
Of course they will
now make short metre of me and within a week I expect to be homeward bound. I
have made all reports, returns, and letters to parents, and all the books are
written up to date. I have asked Smith to meet me in New Orleans to balance the
bank account, for I want to leave with clean hands, and they will be clean
enough, for I have saved but little and can now hardly expect the legislature
will appropriate for the rebel.
I have notice that
three thousand three hundred stand of arms - seventy thousand cartridges and
two hundred carbine cartridges and belts are enroute for this place. I must, as
long as I stay, be faithful to my trust, and I will take immediate steps for
their safe storage, though it will force me to move and use this room as a
store-house. I hope however to be relieved in time so that some one else will
have the pleasure of receipting for them and accounting for them.
My own opinion is
that Lincoln will be installed in office — that Congress will not repeal the
Union, that the revenues will be collected. The consequence is inevitable —
war, and ugly war too. I do not think the South will be invaded, or plain
coercion attempted; but no vessel can be cleared at New Orleans and no vessel
can enter without paying duties outside. Commerce will cease unless the South
can combine, organize a navy and fight their way, or unless she can form a
treaty with our old enemy England. For the northern and eastern cities will
never consent to pay duties and allow New Orleans to be a free port, to send
into the interior goods cheaper than they
But discussion is
useless. The storm is upon us, and we must each to our own ship. I hope I may
meet you again but if not accept the assurances of my great affection, respect,
and admiration, and my earnest prayer that you and yours may long survive to
look back with satisfaction to the time when we started the Seminary in a vain
belief that we were serving the cause of our common country.
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