Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-01-04

Troy. Decemher 9Th. $500.
GEN. WOOL To GEN. ca

GEN. WOOL To GEN. cAss.
IPriyatc.l
TROY, December 9th, 1860.
My DEAR GEYERAI:-Old associations and for
ner friendship induce me to venture to address 10
YOU few words on the state of the country. Ny
letter is headed private, because am not author
lied to address you officially.
have read with pleasure the Presidents Mes
sage. South Carolina says she intends to leave
the Union Her representatives in Congress say
she has already left the Union. 1t would seem
that she is neither to be conciiatei or comforted.
I command the Eastern Department, which in
cludcs South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama
and mississippi You know me well. 1 have ever
been firm, decided, faithful and devoted friend
of nv country. IF I can aid the President to
preserve the Union, hope he will command my
services. It will never do for him you to leave
Washington without every star in this Union is in
its place. Therefore no time should be lost in
adopting measures TO defeat those who con-
spring against the Union. Hesitancy or delay
may be no less fatal TO the Union, than 10 the
President, or your OWE high standing as states
man.
1t seems to me that troops should be sent to
Charleston TO man the Forts In that har Dor You
have eight companies at Fort Monroe, Va. Three
or four of these companies should be sent without
n moment's delay to Fort Moultrie. 1t will save
the Union, and the President much trouble. 1t is
said that to send at this time troops to that harbor
would produce great excitement among the people
That is nonsen,e, when the people are as much
excited as they can be- and the leaders are deter
mined to execute their long meditated purpose Of
separating the State from the Union. So long as
you command the entrance to the city Of Charles
ton, South Carolina cannot separate herself from
the Union. Do not leave the Forts in the harbor
in a condition to induce an attempt to take pos
session of them. 1t might easily be done at this
time. II South Carolina should take them it
might, as she anticipates, induce other States 90
join her.
Permit ne to entreat you to urge the President
to send at once three or four companies Of Arti-
lery to Fort Moultrie The Union can be pre-
served. but it requires firm, decided, prompt and
energetic measures on the part Of the President
He has only TO exert the power conferred on him
by the Constitution and Laws Of Congress, and all
will be safe, and he will prevent civil war,
which never fails 10 call forth all the baser pas
sons of the human heart If a separation should
take place, YOU may rest assured, blood would
flow in torrents, followed by pestitence, famine
and desolston, and Senator Stewards irEepressible
conflict win be brought to a conclusion muoh soon
er than he could possibly have anticipated. Let
me conjure You TO save the Union, and thereby
avoid the bloody and desolating example OF the
States of Mexico. A separation Of The states will
bring with it the desolition Of the Cotton States,
which are unpTepared FOR war. Their weakness
will be found in the number Il their slaves with
but few Of the essentials to carry on war, whilst
the Free States have all the clements and mate
rails for war, and TO a greater extent than any
other people on the face Of the globe.
Think of those things, my dear General, and
save the country, and save the prosperous South
from pestilence, famine and dcs5lation. Peaceable
secession is not be thought o. Even if it should
take place, in three months VIC would have
bloody war on our hands.
Very truly your friend.
JOHN E. Wool.
Hon. LEWIS CAss, Secretary Of State,