Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-11
GENERAL wooL,s LETTERS.

from General Wool, one of which, that to
Secretary Cass is published by the author to
correct erroneous and imperfect reports OF it's
contents The other was written Dec. 81.
The high character Of the veteran officer
who writes them, and the patriotism and good
sense which pervades them, will insure their
being read with interest.
GRN WOOL TO GEN. CAss.
PRIVATE.
TRoy, Dec 9th, 1860.
My DEAR GENERAL odd associations and former
friendship induce TO address 10 you few
words the state Of the country MY letter is headed
prvate because am not authorized to address you OF
feiay. t.f
South Carolina says intends to leave the Union Her
representatives. In Congress say she has ALREADY et ue
Union 1t would seem that she Is neither 70 be conca-
ted or comforted I command the Eastern Department,
which includes South Carolina Georgia, Florida Alaoa-
ina and Mississippi You know me weil' have ever
been frm decided, faithful and devoted friend OF my
country II aid the President 10 preserve the Un-
ion hope he will command my services ~ Wlh never
in this Union is in its place. Therefore no ume
should be lost In adopting measures TO defeat those VINO
are oonspirng against the Union. Hesianey OF delay
may be less fatal to the Union than TO the fresden'
your own high standing as statesman
II that troops should be sent 70 Chaties-
ton 10 man the Forts in that harhor You have eight
eompanies Al Fort Monroe Va Three or four Of these
mpanics should be sent without moments delay 10
Fort Mourie II will the Uni m and the President.
would produce great excitment among the people mat
is nonsense, when the people are As mueh excten as
they can be- and the leaders determined to execute
their long meditaed purpose Of separating the state
from thc Union. So long you command the entrance
the city of Chacston, South Car0na cannot separate
herself from the Union. Do leave the Forts in the
harhor in a condition induce attempt 10 take pos
session Of them IL might easily be done at this time
II south Carolina should take them Il might as she an
ticipatcs induced other states to join her
Permit entreat you to urge the President TO senu
at once three or four companies OF ARTILLERY TO Fort
Moulre. The Union be preserved, but 1t requires
firm, decided. prompt and energetic measures on the
part Of the President HI has only exert the power
conferred on him bv the Constitution and laws OF Con-
gress and all will be safe and he will prevent civil war
which never fails call forth all the baser passions o
the human heart. II separation should take place
you may rest assured blood would flow in torrents iO
lowed by pesteuee, famine and desolauon, and senator
Stewards rrepressible conflict will be brought TO CON
cusion much sooner than he could possibly have antic
mated Let me connre YOU the Union and there
bv avoid the bloody and desoang example OF the states
of Mexico separation Of the states viii bring with
desoaon OF The cotton states, which are unpeparet
for war Their weakness will be found IN the number o
their slaves with few Of the essentials TO carry OF
1ar whilst the free states have all the elements and ma
erals for and 70 greater extent Than any othe
people on the face of the globe
Think OF these things my dear General and save th'
country and the prosperous South from pesnlence
famine aud desOlaton Peaceable secession Is MOTTO o.
thought of Even II it should take place, in three month";
we would have bloody on our hands
Very truly your friAnd, 49,.
JOHN Z. WOOL.
Hon. LEWIS CAss, Secretary Of State, Washington
ID. c.