Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-09-09
PRESIDENT LINCOLN TO Mr.. WOOD.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WILMINGTON naoamhar 10 1850

"AshlNUIoN, DecelnDeT IL, loO2.
HON. FERNANDO WooD-My Dear Sir -
Your letter Of the eth, with the accompanying
note of same date, was received yesterday.
The most important paragraph in the letter,
as consider, Is in these words son the 25th
of November last l WAS advised by an author.
ity which deemed likely TO be well informed
as well as reliable and truthful. that the South
ern States would send representatives. to the
next Congress. provided that full and gen.
eral amnesty should permit them to do SO.
No guarantee or terms were asked for other
than the amnesty referred to-
l strongly suspect your information will
prove to be grouEdless; nevertheless, 1 thank
you for communicating it 10 me. Understand
ing the phrase in the paragraph above quoted
''the Southern States would send representa-
tives to the next Congress'-to be substantially
the same as that 'sthe people of the Southern
States would cease resistance, and would re-
inaugurate, submit to- and maintain the ma
tional authority within the limits of such
States, under the Constitution of the United
States" say that in such case the war would
cease on the part of the United States: and that
if within reasonable time ga full and general
amnesty were necessary to such end, it would
not be withheld.
1 do not think it would be proper now to
communicate this, formally or Informally, to
the people of the Southern States. My belief is
that they already know it; and when they
choose, if ever, they can communicate with me
unequivocally. Nor de l think it proper now
to suspend military operations Is try any ex-
pertinent of negotiation.
| should nevertheless receive, with great
pleasure, the exact information you now have,
and also sucn other as you may in any way OBJ
tain Such information might be more valua-
hi hafr IN To,
While there is nothing in this letter which
shall dread to in history, it is, perhaps, bet
ter Tor the present that its existence should not
become public. therefore have to euuest that
you will regard it as confidential.
Your obedicnt servant, A. LINCOLN
MR.. WOOD TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
NEW YORK, Dec. II, 1862
His EXcellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN
MY DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 18th instant
was handed to me on the afternoon OF the 18th
instant by Mr.. Wakeman, the postmaster of this
city.
Pardon me, Mr.. President, when 1 say that
your reply has filled me with profound regret.
1t declines what had conceived to be an in
recent effort TO ascertain the foundation for
Information In my possession of desire In the
South TO return to the Union. II thus appears
to be an indication on your part to continue q
pGncy winch, IN my judgment, Is not only un-
wise, but, III the opinion of many, is in conflict
with the constitutional authority vested in the
Federal Government.
l think, however, that my proposition is in
keeping with your expressed conditions upon
which tie war shall cease. You say that
'wheh the people of the Southern States shall
Cease resistance, and would reinaugurate, SUBJ
nit to, and maintain the national AUTHORITY
within Inc limits of such States under the Com
sttution OF me United States, that in such case
the war would cease ON the part Of the United
States
Admitting this position as correct, You will
see that as a condition precedent TO such sinh
mission the opportunity to do so must be AZ
forded. 1t cannot be expected that the South.
eI-n people will cease resistance, so long as we
proclaim our intention to destroy their local
institutions, their property and their lives. and
accompany the declaration with corresponding 4
legislative. executive, social, and political ac-
ton. They cannot cease resistance, and REIN
augurate, submit to, ana maintain the Federal
authority, if we w i'll not let them alone long
enough 70 do SO. Iftliey really desire ac9uies-