Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-09-09
PRESIDENT LINCOLN TO Mr.. WOOD.
LALCUTIVE HANN1ON,
WASHINGTON, December II, I-G2


WASHINGTON, December II, 1-G2
HON. FERNANDO WooR-My Dear Sir
\ our letter CT the Eta, with the accompanying
Io:e OF same date, wa received yesterday.
The most important paragraph in the letter,
as I consider, Is in these words :-ssOn the 18th
OF November last was advised by an author
Ity which deemed likely TO be well Informed
a. wrll as reliable and truthful. that the South
ern States would send representatives to the
next Congress, provided that a full and gem
eral amnesty should permit them to do So.
10 guarantee or terms were asked for other
than the amnesty referred to-
/ strongly suspect your information will
prove 10 lie sroundlcss; nevertheless, thank
you Tor com mum eating it TO me. Understands
ing the phrase in the para graph above quoted
sIhe Southern States would send representa-
tiVCs to the nez COngress''-to be subs taEtislly
tie same'as that ''the people of the Southern
states would cease resistance, and would re-
maj gUrtte, submit to- and maintain the ma
tonal authority within the limits of such
States, under the Com titution Of tue United
States" say that In such case the war would
cease on the part OF the United States: and that
if within reasonable time ssa full and general
amnesty" were necessary to such end, it would
not be withheld.
L do not think it would be proper now to
communicate this, formally or informally, TO
the people of the Southern States. NV belief is
that they already know it; and when they
choose, if ever, they can communicate with me
Unequiyocally. Nor dc l think it proper now
to suspend military operations IL try any ex-
pertinent of negotiation.
! should nevertheless receive, with great
pleasure, the exact information you now have
and also SUCH other as you may in any way OBJ
tam. Such information might be more valua-
bic before the first of January than afterward.
NhIie there Is nothing in this letter which
snail dread to see III history, it is perhaps, bet
ter for the present that its existence should not
become public. therefore have to request that
you will regard it as confidential.
Your obeairnt servant, a. LINCOLN
Mr.. WOOD 10 PREsIDENT LINCOLN
NEW YORK. Dec II, lsGl
His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
MY DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 18th ms tant
was handed 10 me on the afternoon of the 18th
instant by Mr.. Wakeman, the postmaster of this
city.
Pardon me, Mr.. President, when saw that
your reply has filled me with profound regret
1t declines what had concei we'd to be All in
Eocent effort TO ascertain the foundation for
information in my possession of desire in the
South TO return to the Union. 1t thus appears
10 De HI lnuIctIoH vi your part 10 C0ntiE Tue Il
policy which, in my Judgment, is not only un-
wise. but i'll the opinion of many, is in conflict
with the constitutional authority vested in the
Federal Government .r ,....
L think, however, that my proposition is in
keeping with your expressed conditions upon
which The war shall cease. You SLY that
sswlIea The people of the Southern States shall
resistance, and would reinaugurats, sub
Iait to, and maintain the national authority
within the limits OF such States under the Com
stitutIon of the United States that in such case
The war would cease on the part of the United
States .s.. s.. Il. -.
Admitting this position rs correct you will
see tlIit as condition precedent TO such SUD-
mission the opportunity TO do so must be af-
forded Ii cannot he expected that the South
ern people Will cease resistance, so long rs we
proclaim our intention to destroy their local
institutions, their property, and their lives. and
accompany the declaration with corresponding
Ieglslalive, executive, social, and political ac.
hoh. i hey cannot cease Resistance, and REIN
angnTateHspbmit ia, ana maintain The Federal
authoT'ty II we Will not let them alone long
enough " Go so. II they really desire acquie,-