Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, May 21, 1860

Very warm day. At work in office Dined with Gov Morgan of NY at Q House

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 408

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, May 22, 1860

Fine day—At work in office. out at Cox's to tea. “Help me Cassius or I sink” received a long letter from Hon David Davis, Tho^s A Marshall, N. B. Judd, E Peck¹ & O. M. Hatch, entreating me in the most earnest terms to go, without delay, to St Louis, and see Judge Bates, and try and prevail upon him to come into Illinois, and assist us in the campaign. They want his influence to carry the old whig Quincy element for Lincoln.² Some of these same men had blamed me for supporting Judge Bates for the Presidency and had asserted, in the most emphatic terms, that he could not carry Illinois. I believed before the convention, and believe now, that he would have carried the entire Republican party, and the old whig party beside, and I think others are beginning to suspect the same thing, and that we have made a mistake in the selection of candidates.

I immediately wrote a long and urgent letter to Judge Bates, and will follow it in person tomorrow—for in my opinion, the existence of the party and the highest good of the country, are alike dependent upon our success, and I am willing to forego all personal preferences, and make any reasonable sacrifice to secure a triumph

_______________

¹ Ebenezer Peck, 1805-1881. Born in Maine; admitted to bar in Canada; member of Canadian Parliament; came to Chicago, 1835, being one of the founders of the Democratic party and one of its supposedly unscrupulous politicians. Lincoln opposed him then, but by 1856 Peck had become a Republican and he took part in the Republican convention at Bloomington in that year. He was elected clerk of the Supreme Court in 1841 in a meeting of five of the nine justices of the court. His election was supposed to be part of a bargain regarding the passage of the act of 1841 reorganizing the Supreme Court on Democratic lines. He was therefore known as the "midnight clerk." President Lincoln appointed him to the United States Court of Claims. Palmer, The Bench and Bar of Illinois, 1:76-77; 2: 627; Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, 1:126127; 2: 28; Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, 2: 93.

² This letter is in the files of the Illinois State Historical Library at Springfield and reads as follows:

Springfield, Ills

May 21 1860

Dear Browning—

 

There must be no mistake about carrying Illinois—

 

Our honor is pledged to it—

 

To conduce to this end, it is apparent to a number of friends now here, that Judge Edward Bates should be got to make speeches, at 4 or 5 prominent places in this State, say Charleston Springfield, Jacksonville, Carlinville, or Alton, & some place on Military Tract

 

Judge Bates owes it to himself & the cause to make this sacrifice His appearance & the man himself would be more effective, than a thousand speeches from Eastern Orators—

 

—Mr Bates, would emphatically settle the Fillmore element for us—

Your friends think that if these speeches could be made all of them before the Baltimore nomination—that they would be greatly—infinitely more effective—than if made afterwards

 

Now is the appointed time— In looking over the list of our friends, who should be sent to Mr Bates to effect this end a number of your friends & Mr Lincoln's now here, unitedly believe that you are that man—

 

The undersigned therefore, earnestly & affectionatley urge you immediately to visit Saint Louis & if possible secure the services of Mr Bates— We assure you that you could not more effectually serve the cause—

 

We beg of you to lay aside business & visit Saint Louis—for this purpose—

 

Write to Mr Hatch the result of your mission—Knowing your interest in this cause, we feel certain that you will not hesitate a moment, in endeavouring to accomplish this very desirable object.

 

Mr Blair of St Louis thinks it most important & if in St Louis will lend his aid— Mr Blair has the matter at heart—

 

We remain

Dear Sir

Your friends

David Davis

N. B. Judd

T. A. Marshall

Eb Peck.

O. M. Hatch

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 408-10

David Davis et al to Orville Hickman Browning, May 21, 1860

Springfield, Ills

May 21 1860

Dear Browning—

There must be no mistake about carrying Illinois—

Our honor is pledged to it—

To conduce to this end, it is apparent to a number of friends now here, that Judge Edward Bates should be got to make speeches, at 4 or 5 prominent places in this State, say Charleston Springfield, Jacksonville, Carlinville, or Alton, & some place on Military Tract

Judge Bates owes it to himself & the cause to make this sacrifice His appearance & the man himself would be more effective, than a thousand speeches from Eastern Orators—

—Mr Bates, would emphatically settle the Fillmore element for us—

Your friends think that if these speeches could be made all of them before the Baltimore nomination—that they would be greatly—infinitely more effective—than if made afterwards

Now is the appointed time— In looking over the list of our friends, who should be sent to Mr Bates to effect this end a number of your friends & Mr Lincoln's now here, unitedly believe that you are that man—

The undersigned therefore, earnestly & affectionatley urge you immediately to visit Saint Louis & if possible secure the services of Mr Bates— We assure you that you could not more effectually serve the cause—

We beg of you to lay aside business & visit Saint Louis—for this purpose—

Write to Mr Hatch the result of your mission—Knowing your interest in this cause, we feel certain that you will not hesitate a moment, in endeavouring to accomplish this very desirable object.

Mr Blair of St Louis thinks it most important & if in St Louis will lend his aid— Mr Blair has the matter at heart—

We remain
                Dear Sir
                                                                Your friends

David Davis

N. B. Judd

T. A. Marshall

Eb Peck.

O. M. Hatch

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 409-10

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, May 23, 1860

Quincy & St Louis. At 11 O'clock A. M. took passage on Steamer Hannibal City for St Louis, on a political mission to Judge Bates

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 410

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, May 24, 1860

St. Louis     Reached St Louis at 6 A. M. went to Planters House and had short interview with Gov Morgan of New York. Also met Judge Bates & Mr Gibson there, and made an appointment with the Judge to meet him at his office at 11 O'clock. I then had a long talk with Gibson in the parlor of the Planters House, and at 11 he and I met at Judge Bates' office. The Judge had just recvd and read my letter of Tuesday—I exhibited to him the letter I had received from Springfield, and made an urgent appeal to him to come into Illinois, and make a few speeches. Whilst I was engaged in urging such considerations as I thought would be most effectual in prevailing with him, Mr Goodrich,¹ one of the Massachusetts delegates to the Chicago Convention, came in and united with me in the appeal I was making. But our efforts were unavailing. Judge Bates very emphatically declined to take the stump, saying that such a thing as one who had been before the convention as a candidate for nomination for the presidency taking the stump was unprecedented that he thought it would be in very bad taste, and incompatible with the dignity of his character & position, and that he must respectfully decline to do so that his situation was peculiar that he had been thought of as a candidate for the Presidency not because he was a member of the Republican party, but because he was a man outside of the Republican party harmonizing with it in political sentiments, and because it was supposed, therefore, that he could bring outside strength to the support of the party—that the platform, in the main expressed his sentiments, but there were some things in it unnecessary and untrue, which did not meet his approval, and mentioned particularly the clauses relating to the power of Congress over slavery in the territories, and the naturalization laws—that he felt no emotion of chagrin, or regret at not getting the nomination—that he entertained the highest regard for Mr Lincoln, appreciated and admired his character, and should rejoice at his success over any democrat who could be nominated, but that he must take a little time to deliberate as to the course proper to be when pursued by him, and that when he had reflected and matured his opinions he would write me fully upon the subject. I met Sam Glover and had a short conversation with him.² He thought Judge Bates ought to write me a letter for publication endorsing Lincoln's nomination, but he would not advise him, as he was a man of great intellect who thought, and acted for himself, and he had never known him make a mistake especially in a matter of taste and propriety

At 11 A. M. called on Mrs Bennett She was not in. At 2 P. M. called and spent an hour with Mrs Greenleaf. At 3 came on board Die Vernon on my way home Very hot day.

_______________

¹ Probably John Z. Goodrich, born 1801. Elector on Harrison ticket, 1840; representative in 32d and 33d congresses; collector of customs at Boston, 1861-1865.

² Among the Browning letters in the Illinois Historical Library at Springfield is one from Sam T. Glover to Browning, dated St. Louis, June 13, 1860. This letter deals with the attitude of Mr. Bates. After stating that he (Mr. Glover) had recently identified himself with the Republican party, and felt considerable concern as to Bates's course, he writes of a call which he made upon Mr. Bates in order to elicit some statement as to his position. The letter continues:

"He then took out of his desk and read to me a most happy well considered eloquent letter . . . defining his own position as not a republican but as a whig & one who is from principle obliged to vote with that party as the conservative party of the country. He shows up the negro democracy in their native colors— He turns the other end of the Telescope on Bell & Everet and shows how small they really are He does justice to Lincoln & Hamlin & spurns the idea that any little feeling of personal pique can influence his conduct.

 

"The letter is truly a great one. It is as solid as iron and brilliant as jaspar. I urged him to publish it immediately     He did not give me a satisfactory answer . . .

 

"Can you come here     If not can you not write to Mr B a strong letter urging him not to postpone longer his promise to send the letter"

The letter referred to was addressed to Browning and was published in the St. Louis Democrat of June 19, 1860, and widely copied. See entry for June 19, 1860, post, 416-417 n. 3.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 410-2

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Friday, May 25, 1860

Quincy. Arrived at home about 2 p. m. Very hot day. At Dr Warrens to tea with some other company. All vegetation is perishing for want of rain. Have had very little since last fall, and none at all since a light shower in April.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 412

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, May 26, 1860

Continues very warm and dry. At work in office. Just at night had a pleasant little shower — about enough to lay the dust. Mrs Pearson of California & Mrs DeKraft to tea with us.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 412

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, May 27, 1860

Very pleasant day. Took some medicine last night, and not out to Church this morning, but went in the P. M.

Getting ready to go to Carthage tomorrow to attend Court

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 412

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, May 28, 1860

Carthage. At 5 O'clock this morning took the cars for Plymouth on my way to Hancock Court. At Plymouth Wheat, Grimshaw, myself and some others took the stage and arrived at Carthage between 11. & 12 O'clock — Stopped at Artois Hamiltons and attended Court in afternoon — Sprinkled a little this P. M. and very warm

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 412

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, May 29, 1860

Attending Court. Cool this morning — Cloudy and very windy day, and by night quite cool enough to make fire comfortable

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 412

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, May 30, 1860

Cold, cloudy day, looking and feeling very much as if it was going to snow — Fire in my room at night Attending Court

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, May 31, 1860

Cloudy, cold day, but cleared off, and became more pleasant in the afternoon

There was a large Republican ratification meeting held here to day, which was addressed by Mr Grimshaw and myself in the afternoon, he speaking a half hour, and I an hour and a half. The Court house was packed to its utmost capacity, and then not half the crowd was in. There were a large number of ladies present.

There seems to be a great deal of enthusiasm among the people, and every thing now indicates an ardent and successful campaign.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, May 1, 1860

[Quincy, Illinois.] Very pretty day, but somewhat cool     Was a little frost this morning At work in office Emma commenced French with Miss Fougeu to day

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, May 2, 1860

Bright, warm day—At work in office

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, May 3, 1860

Warm & bright-Yellow, cinnamon & Scotch roses in bloom, also the locust trees—At work in office

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Friday, May 4, 1860

Still warm & dry—Water all gone from cisterns—At work in office

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, May 5, 1860

Very warm. At work in office. Stanleys & Allens with us to tea

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, May 6, 1860

Quincy     Very warm day. At Church A. M. & P. M. and at Episcopal at Sunday School exhibition in the afternoon.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, May 7, 1860

Very warm & cloudy—threatning rain—Dr & Mrs Warren with us to dinner. At work in office

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, May 8, 1860

Warm and cloudy. At work in office in forenoon. At 5½ P M started to Decatur to attend Republican State Convention in company with quite a number of other delegates—Cars crowded—Very windy day, threatning rain, but giving none—turned quite cool towards night—Reached Decatur at 2 Oclock at night, and stopped at Macon House where Gilpin and I got a small, hard, bed together, and slept a little

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 404-5