Posted on 02/18/2020 7:32:05 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts
First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
Posting history, in reverse order
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
NEW-YORK, February 18th, 1860.
C. D. MILLER, Esq., Peterboro:
Sir: I have received your letter of the 13th inst., complaining, on behalf of your father-in-law, of the use made of his name in a publication by the New-York Vigilant Association in October last; and although the publishing of my name to that document was an unwarrantable liberty, for I never signed it, or authorized any one to sign it for me, yet, as I did not contradict it at the time, I can hardly set up this plea now.
I have been disappointed in seeing Mr. Sherman today, but you shall hear from us early next week.
SOURCE: Gerrit Smith, Gerrit Smith and the Vigilant Association of the City of New-York, p. 5
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
Just an observation. Please no evo/crevo war.
New-York, February 22d, 1860.
CHAS. D. MILLER, Esq.:
SIR: Yours of the 13th inst. was received by me a few days since; and but for other pressing engagements, would have been answered immediately. Since its receipt, I have looked over carefully the “Manifesto of the Democratic Vigilant Association” to which you refer, and so far as Mr. Gerrit Smith's name is mentioned in connection with the “Central Association,” have no hesitation in saying that his statement, that he is not a member of that body, renders it obvious that in this particular the writer of the pamphlet has fallen into an unintentional error. With regard to the letter also inserted in this pamphlet, dated Peterboro, Aug. 29th, 1859, purporting to have been written by Mr. Smith, as you do not allude to it, I suppose that is correctly set forth. By comparing the general tone and sentiment with the constitution of the “Central Association,” I think you will see that the writer of that pamphlet might very naturally have fallen into the mistake, (as you assure me that it is a mistake,) of supposing that the writer of one approved of the objects of the other. This was doubtless the view of the writer of this pamphlet, in regard to which particular care was taken to insure accuracy in its statement of facts, and for these the writer of the pamphlet relied somewhat upon the current newspaper articles of the day. After the information now received from you, I am very sorry to learn that Mr. Smith's name was thus connected with the “Central Association” to which you say he did not belong, or that any injustice was done to him in this publication.
Mr. Phelps and Mr. Sherman have each perused this letter, and I am requested by those gentlemen to say they concur in the same, and beg you will receive it also as their reply to the communication you addressed to each of them on the same subject. They also request me to say that it gives them great pleasure to correct the error into which the writer of this pamphlet has fallen in regard to Mr. Smith, as, however much they differ from the sentiments held by him as expressed in the “Jerry Rescue” letter, they respect the boldness and personal integrity of Mr. Smith, and desire to do him full justice.
SAMUEL L. M. BARLOW.
SOURCE: Gerrit Smith, Gerrit Smith and the Vigilant Association of the City of New-York, p. 5-6
BURLINGTON, IOWA, February 23, 1860.
DEAR JAMES: I must begin to cultivate Southern pronunciation and Southern orthography to prepare for the new Administration. Dana, I suppose, is in the sulks at my nonsense; but I can blackguard you as long as I can raise a three-cent postage-stamp to pay for the amusement. My main purpose now is to ask you if you do not wish to engage a Pike county jeans suit, not of “Tyrian dye,” but of emancipation butternut bark. Of course that must be the court color and court dress. Your bowie-knife and tobacco (pig-tail twist) can be got from Virginia. Bayard Taylor can get you a supply when he goes to Richmond to lecture.
As you have the nomination of President, won't you allow us out here to name the Vice? We shall name Philip M—, of Buffalo, gentleman who once turned the government grindstone for the “use and behoof” of some dealers in sanded cotton. I should have said that I have just been reading Dana's article on Bates or Baits — which is the true orthography?
One word soberly. If I had had my hind quarters kicked to a jelly, as you have by the South, I should wait till quite warm weather — say the temperature of the “brimstone zone” — before I volunteered to advocate a Southern man for the Presidency. I shall not hereafter read your essays on Pluck with half so much relish as formerly.
I am sorry for all this, for I see where we are to drift.
Governor Seward will be the nominee of the convention, if it is to be a choice between him and Bates.
I am in for the New York Evening Post's doctrine—death if need be, but no dishonor.
FITZ-HENRY WARREN.
Don't read this to Dana.
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. 495-6
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