, 1863-07-14
AND TTEE ENIOy.
Zxuportaut Letter Of the PFea1dent in
Reply to a Committee OF Planters

From the N. T. Times.J
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1868.
Early In June last, committee Of Louisi-
ana planters. whose n3taes are given In the
correspondence which follows, waited upon
President Lincoln, At the White House, with
q petition in behalf Of the great planting In
terest Of the State, for authority from the
General Government to proceed to the cleo
ton lin November next) Of Federal and State
the United States and Of the existing State
Constitution Of Louisiana, The President
heard the committee, received their proppsi.
tion IN writing, and courteously dismissed
them, with the promise that after Cabinet
consultation on the subject, the committee
ingly, a Cabinet consultation, and the result
is given In the Presidents letter, herewith
transmitted. When 1t is remembered that
the existing State Constitution OF Luufsiann
is strongly p!o-slacery, the spirit and pur-
pcfe of the ruling elements Of the Cabinet
Chase and Lis Abolition associates In the Ad-
nlintstration, and 1he radical political faction
by which they are supported, simply mean, II
they can accomplish It, that none of the States
committed 10 the rebellion shall be restored
to tie Union without being shom Of the in
stitution Of slavery.
PRESIDENT LNcoLE's LETTER.
EXECUTIVE MANaI9E,{
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1868.
Mcesrs. E: E. MA1u1or, BnAnlsH JOHNSON aud
THOMAS Co11AAN:-
GENT1EhEx.-Iout letter; which follows, has
been received and considered:-
To His Excel1eucy AHRAHAx LHooLG, President
of The United S1ntcs:-
The unde1sianed. ) committee appointed b. The
represent that they hare been delegated to seek
Of the general government full recognition OF all
the rights Of the State they existed previous Ia
rs,F 1%
cip1e Of tie existence OF the State constitution IN
Impaired and no legal act having tzanspired that
could in any way deprive them Of the advantages
conferred by the constitution. Unde: this consti-
tutIon the State wishes to return to its full neGi
ancc il the enjoyment Of au rights and pzsifescs
csefsed tae Ghs1 tne de
the deeirtd object, We further request that yeul
Amy Of the Omitted States, direct tho Military
Governor Of Louisiana to order su election. In
conformity with The constitution and laws Of the
Stnte, on the first Mondny OF Norembef next, fos
ii! State and Federal ofaeers.
the honor to eubsct15e ourselves your obcdlenf
Ecrvhnt2.
sBRADi6u JOHNSON,
THo5. CoTTNAX.
Since receiving the letter reliable Informs
titn has reached me t1at respectable portion
Of the IouisiAna people desire to amend their
Sta'e constitution, and contemplate holding q
convention for that object. This fact alone,
as It seems to me, is sufficient reason why
the general government should not give the
committee the authority you seek to act IN
der the existing State constitution. I maJ
add, that while do not perceive how such
connmitta1 could facilitate our military opera
tons In Louisiana, I really apprehend Il
| might be go used AZ to euabarass them.
As to an election to be held next Norem
| ber, there lis abundant time without any osde
or proclamation from me Just now. Th
people Of LouIsana shall not lack an oppo1
Iunlty for fair election for both Federal an.
State officers BY want Of anything within m
power to give them. Your obedlent servant
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.