, 1863-09-09
NR. wooD TO PREs1DEsT LINCOLN.
NEHaYnRK Dec IL 1881

His Excellency Abraham Lincoln:
ny DEAR s1R-Your letter OF the 18th inst.
was handed to me on the afternoon Of the
10Th inst. By Mr. Wakemnn, the, Postmaster
Of this city. Pardon me, Mr. President, when
ray that -FOUR reply has filled me: with pro.
ceiyed to be an innocent effort TO ascertain
the foundation for information In my pos
session Of desire In the South to return to
the Union. It thus appears to be an indfca-
tion On your part to continue policy which
in my Judgment is not only unEise, but, IN
feas aeae! SR SSitsa hoRs N ths
that my proposition is il keeping
with your own expressed convictions upon
which the var shall cease. You say that
when the people Of the Southern States
ate, submit to, and maintain the national au-
thority within the limits Of such States, un-
der the Constitution of the United States,
that, In such case, the var should cease on
the part Of the United States. Admitting
Ibis position as correct, you will sec that, as
opportunity to do,so must be afforded: It
cannot be expected that the Southern people
will cease resistance go long ns We proclaim
our intention to destroy their local institu-
tions, their property aud their lives, aud ac-
company the declaration with corresponding
tion. They cannot cease resistance, and re.
iDauS Surate, submit, and maintain the Federal
authority, II ne will not let them alone long
tnough to do 30. II they really desira ac-
quiescence and are willing to send delegates
TO the next Congress, as am advised, how
without come intimntions or guarantees Us to
the acception Of their representatives at
Washir gton. The act of sending representa-
tires to Congress is within itself full COM
pliance with your own conditions. If thus
Represented by their own elected agents IN.
State laws governing such elections, they will /
compose an integral portion Of the Govern
menf, and thus giye the assurance
of an acquiescencs and submission
Of the very highest and most salts:
Suggestion s tSst put tiiatsRsa e n the
power to take this course. 1t would require.
simple proclamation Of general amnesty, to
be qualified, If you please, by such condi-
tfons as to render 1t void In case Of non-com-
pliance within limited period. You have
established precedent for this mode Of
lion Proclamation told Of punishment. Let
another be Issued speaking the language Of
mercy. end brea hing the spirit Of concilia-
tion. The painful events which have occurred |
since my Communication Of the 6fh inst, but |
embo1dens re to renew the suggestions. :!
military operations to t.y an experiment. Of /
I feel that military operations |
20 bloody as ours must sooner or later be
suspended. The day Of suspension must |
come the only question Is whether 1t shall
be before the whole American people North
and South, ehall be involved In general ruin,
or whether 1t shall be whilst there Is remain
ing sufficient Of recuperatiye element of Life
BY which to restore our once happy, prosper i
pus, and peaceful American Union. In com-
pliance with your request that your letter
shaIlsnot for the present become public,
sha}IsM ithhold its publication vt this time. !
With high regards, yours, &C.,
FERNANDO WQon, :