, 1861-02-07
MIR. Lincoln and NTr. Cameron.

Tie Philadelphia Sunday Mercury publishes
an account Of an interview recently had with
the President elect by a committee Of the
friends Of Mr.. Cameron, FROM that city. The
following is the substance Of the narrative:
About quarter Of an hour after tho ap-
pointed time, the committee were all present,
In their room, when knock was ]card ut the
door, which was opened, and in walked n tall
gentleman, whose appearance could not well
be mistaken BY any Une who had ever seen the
numerous portraits Of Uncle Abe
Dr. Smith said-" Mr. Lincoln, presume"
The tall gentleman replied, Yes, sir, " and
he begged the committee to be seated, and
lave friendly conversation with him, "witil-
out reserve" as he pleasantly remarked.
Dr. Smith stated to him the purport Of the
resolutions entrusted TO the care Of the Com
naittee, and had reached the point where it
in the Cabinet one who had ever been true to
her interest, when Mr. Lincoln INTERRUPTED
"Ycs. / Know who you a1lude to-Gen.
Cameron. This subject llas already engaged Il
large share Of my attention and have every
reason to hope TINT your wishes will be gratl-
ded. I feel q strong desire to do something
for your State, and / am determined she ehn1l
be satisfied, II can do it."
The resolutions were read to him, when he
continued, nearly in this language:
Gentlemen, in tho formation of my Cabi-
net, shall aim rs nearly rs possible al perfec-
ton Any man whom l may appoint to such
a position, must be, as far rs possible, like
C;esar's wife, pure and above suspicion, Of
| unble1nished reputation, and undoubted III
| tegrity. have already appointed Senator
6eward and Mr. Bates Of Missouri, and they
are rncn whose characters think the breath Of
| calunny cannot impeach. In regard to Gen
1 f.Anrfnn
| without limit from gentleman whose word is
entitled to credit, that he Is emfnently fitted
for the position which his friends desire him
to fill, aud TINT his appointment, would give
great satisfaction to PENNSYLVANIA. I have n
great desire to appoint Gen. Cameron, for
the reason that he Was formerly Democrat,
and wish to give that element fair repro.
| sentation in the distribution Of the Offices.
Both Mr.. Seward and Mr.. Bates were for
merly old line Wings, and, for hisssreason, l
feel disposition to appoint Gen. Cameron.
But on the qther hand, there Is strong op
position to him; not from his own State, 1t il
true, for the opposition to him there is &c
slight that It ia scarcely worth mentioning
The feeling n,ainst him appears to come frol1
Ohio, and one or two Of the Western States
His opponents charge him with corruption il
obtaining contracts, and contend that If hc Ii
| appointed he will use the patronage Of his office
for his own private gain have no knowledge
of the acts charged against him, but intent
| to make m investigation Of the whole matter
by allowing his opponents to submit thei
proof, and shall give him an opportunity 0
| explaining any part he may have had in thu
; transactions alleged against him. For my ow1
part can see no impropIiety In his takiu!
CONTRACTS, or making money out Of them, rs tha
| Ia a mere matter Of business There is nothin,
wrong In this, unless some unfairness or dis
honesty Is shown, which suppositfon have n
doubt Gen. Cameron will be able to dlsproye
| shall deal fairly with him. but say to sou
gentlemen, frankly, that II tho charges againf
dim are proven, he cannot have seat tn III
Cabinet, as will not have any man associate
with me whose character is impeachcd. vi
say further, that If he ylndicates himself,
; hage the strongest desire to place him IN tn
, position you wish him to fill, and which 70
think the interests Of your State demand l
, after he has been appointed, ehould oe d
ceiTed BY subsequent transactions Of dlsrel
utable character, tue responsibility cM sta Mpo
!: you, gentlemen Of Itnnsylna,atd, aaa0 hdus
ktTongy presenfed hts claim to my consideration
But this Is supposing state Of things E1ic
may never occur"
The conversation now changed to 9th.
topics. The COMMITTEES inquired Of him If b
were not annoyed by 50 MANY reutleme
: calling upon him, to which he replied that b
suffared no inconveuience on that score IN
matter how many Of his friends called,=l i
! would be pleased to sec them. National qne
tions were touched upon, but as he did not y
pear to be communicative upon these subject
!" the Inquiries were not pressed.
) The Interview listed about two hours and
. half, when the President elect retired.
lhs Committee returned TO Philadelphia
| m ~ar1v hour ~, 4nss, Gpnf4aV mnfnfnp