Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-31
EX-sEcRErARY THOMPSON on JANIS BU-
CHANAN AND SECESSION.


The following letter of ]. Thompson, OF
Mississippi, Secretary Of the Interior under
the Administration of James Buchanan, and
now serving on Gen. Somebody's staff in the
Southern Confederacy, was found by our
troops at the residence of this traitor near
Oxford, Mississippi, recently occupied by the
forces of Gen. Grant:
(Prirafe aud Confdential)
WASHINGTON, November 20, 1850.
Ny DEAR PETERSON: The time has come
when every man who loves his State and coun-
try is required to take his share of RESPONSE
bility and perform his share Of duty.
Ny allegiance is due to the State of Missis-
sippi. and her destiny shall be my destiny. /
believe she ought to resist, and to the bitter
end, Black Republican rule. 1 hope our State
will call Convention to provide new guards
for our future safety, and, in the event of
call of Convention want, If can, to be
member of that Convention.
l want to go as a member from our county,
and want you, as my friend. to see our friend
Hovey, Cor } and our friend Lamar and,
if our editors are friendly to me, want you
to see them, and to make such a call on me,
through the columns of our papers, as to make
it apparent that it is my duty 10 come home
and make common cause with my State.
Difficulties accumulate upon US here. AS
long am here shall shield and protect
the South. Whenever it shall come to pass
that l shall think l can do no further good
here, shall return. to my home. Buchanan
is the truest friend TO the South | have ever
known from the North. He is jewel and
man. But my duty now is TO the South.
l want the cooperation of the Southern
States. Geography makes separate aud iso-
lated action by Mississippi an absurdity.
have some influence in our Southern sister
States. l wish to do all can to secure their
sympathy and cooperation. A Confederscy
of the Southern States will be strong enough
to command the respect of the world, and the
love, and confidence of our people at home.
South Carolina will go. l consider Georgia
and Florida as certain, Alabama probable.
Then Mississippi must go. But want Lou
| isiana. Texas. Arkansas, Tennessee, North
Carolina, Virginia; and Maryla will not stay
beh. nd long. | fear Kent ucky even more
than do Missouri. If We are not too hasty
and violent these States, will all unite because
it will be their interest, and their honor, and
feelings to do so.
As soon as our mechanics, our merchants,
our lawyers, and cur editors, look the matter
| in the face, and calculate the consequences,
they will see their interest so strong in this
movement fear they will be violent hey ond
| control. The successful. unrestricted install
latiA of Lincoln is the beginning of the end
of slavery.
The North is dependent on the South for
its prosperity. The South is not dependent
on the North for anything necessary to her
! material welfare,
My dear sir, have written in confidence.
| wish you to let me know whether am for
| gotten at home. | believe Tom Pegues Is
| my friend. Write me soon, and write me ev-
| erything. Your friend, J. THOMPSON.
p. S.-You can see Thomas. and W iliam
| Thompson also. My engagements con-
| slant cannot write much J. T.