Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-01-04


Troy, Dec 6, 1860.
My DEAR GENERAL old associations and
former friendship induced me to venture to nd
dress you few words on the state Of the country.
My letter is headed private, because am not
authorized to address you officially
] have read with pleasure tue President
Message. South Carolina says she intends TO
leave the Union. Her representatives in Com
gress say she has already left the Union. 1t
would seem that she is neither TO be conciliated
or comiorted. | command the Eastern DEPART.
ment, which includes South Carvlina, Georgia,
Florida, Aabama and Mississippi You know
me well. l have ever been IL firm, decided.
faithful ind devoted friend to my country Ii /
can aid tue President to preserve the Union, |
hope he will command my services. Ii will
never do for him or you TO leave Washington
without every star in this Union is in its plare.
Therefore no time should be lost in adopting
measures to defeat those who are conspiring
against the Union Hesitancy or delay may be
no less fatal to the Union, than to the President,
or your own high standing as statesman.
1t seems to ME that troops should be sent to
Charleston to man the forts in that harbor You
have eight companies at Fort Monroe, Va. Three
or four Of these companies should be sent with
out moments delay to Fort Moultrie. II 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 nonsense, when the people
are as much excited as they can be- and the
leaders are determined to execute their long
meditated purpose of separating the State from
the Union So long as you command the en-
trance to the city of Charleston, South Carolina
cannot separate herself from the Union. Douot
leave the forts in the harbor in condition to
induce an attempt 10 take possession Of them.
1t might easily be done ut this time II South
Carolina should take them it might, MS she I'M.
ticipates, induce other States to Join her.
Permit me TO entreat you to urge the President
to senl at once three or four companies of Artil-
lery to Fort Moutrie. The Union can be pre-
served hut it requires firm, decided promptand
energetic measure gu the part of the President.
He has only to exert the power conferred OH him
by the Constitution and laws of Congress, and
oil will be safe, aud he will prevent IA civil War
which never fails 10 call forth all the bnser pas-
sions of the human heart. Ifa separation should
take place. You may rest assured blood would
how IN torrents, followed by pestilence, famine
and desOlatiOn, and Senator Stewards irrepreasi.
bic conflict will be brought to a conclusion much
sooner than be could possibly have Anticipated
Let me cOnjure you to save the Union, and there
by avoid the bloody and desolating example of
the States of Mexico separation of the States
will bring with it the desolntion of the Cotton
oIales, winch arc unpfepared for war. Their
weakness will be found in the number of their
slaves, with but few of the essentials to carry on
war, whilst the Free States have all the elercuts
and materials for war, and to greater extent
than any other people on the face of the globe.
Think Of these things, my dear General, and
save the country, and save the prosperous South
from peslilence, famine and desolalion. Peace
able secession is not to be thought Of Even il
il should take place in three months we would
have bloody war on our hands
Very truly your friend, JoHN L. Wool.
Hon, LEWIS CAss
Secretary of State, Washington, D. G.