Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-07-23
The Question of the Return of Louisiana
to the Union Under Her Existing State
Constitution n-Reply Of President Linz
coin toa Proposition Of a Committee
J. nf EBtautars .tirg. g-TQs1 Hsra.si
irespondenoe New York Herald.I

| loorrespondence New York HeradI
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1863.
| Early In June last a committee of Louisiana
planters (whose names are given in the CORES
| rondence which iollowD waited upon President
Lincoln, at the White House, with petition In
behalf Of the great planting interest of the
| State, for authority from the General Government
TO proceed to the election lin November next)
of Federal and State officers, in pursuance OF
the Consultation of the United States, and of
the existing State Constitution of Louisans.
The. President heard the committee, received
their proposition 10 wiling, and courteously dis
missed them, with the promise that after a
Cabinet consultation on the subject, the COM
mittee should have his reply. There was ac-
cordingly, Cabinet consultation, and the result
s given In the President's letter, herewith ms
mitted. When II is remembered that the sxist-
Ing State Consultation Of Louisiana is strongly
pro-alavery, the espirit and purpose of the ruling
elements Of the Cabinet will be pretty well
understood. Mr.. Secretary Chase aud his Abo-
lision associates In the Adminlstrat t ou, and the
radical faction by which they are supported,
simply mean, If they can accomplish IL, that
none Of the States committed to the rebellion
should be restored to the Union witbou. being
shorn Of the institution o! slavey.
PREslDENT LlEooLNB LITTER
EXECUTIVE MANsIoN,
WAsHINoroN, June l9.h, 1858.
Messrs. e. e. MathiOi, Bradi,h Johnston, and
Thomas COttrnsn: re' f..
GEsrLEMEs-Your letter, which follows, has
been received and consideFed: y
10 His Escslsncy Abraham LincOla President Of tho
United StItes:
The undersigned, committee appointed by the plan
ters Of the State OF Louisiana respectfully represent
that they have been delegated to seek Of the Genera
Government full recognition Of all the rights Of the
state they existed previous to the passage OF
Of secession, upon the principle Of the existence OF the
State Constitution unimpaired, and legal act having
@ by Ss aspISs 1s% 11a.a q ,ss
Consultation the State wishes TO return to Its full ae
glance In the enjoyment Of all rights and privileges
eIcsed 6y the other states under the Federal Con.tu
ject We further request that your Excellency WILL
Commander n-chef OF the army Of the United Sta tes
direct the Military Governor Of LonsAna to order 40
Of the State the ht Monday Of November next for
ell State and Federal officers. ~
With high consideration and respect We have the hon.
or to subscribe Ourselves your obedient servants,
BRADIeH JOHNSTON,
. -... TH0s. o0TTMAN.
Since receiving the letter, reliable informa-
ton has reached me hat o respectable portion
Of the Louisiana people desire to amend their,
State Constilution, and contemplate holding O
Convention for that object. This fact alone, %
it seems 10 me, is q sufficient reason why the
General Government should not give the com
missee the authority you seek to act under, the
exleting Sta Constitution. l may add, that
while do not perceive how such q committal
could facilitate our military operations in Louis.
lana, really apprehend il might be used as to
embsrrass them. ca
As to an election to be held next November,
there is abundant time without any order or
proclamation from me just now. The people Of
Louisiana shall not lack au opportunity ior0 o
fair election for both Federal and State officers,
by want Of any thing within my power to give
them. 4.-..E... .--.l-t- IL
'7 s.27'1 7T-'1' '1'7' A. LINCOLN.