The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-14
TERMS on ADVERTISING
memory and / have no desire to raise an

I
issue on that point, but I cannot permit
my testimony to be questioned by any one.
I will not say It was any part Of Mr..
Baldwin's calculation-in the event Of tho
success of that ill-fated star in the galaxy
of nations known at one time as the
Southern Confederacy-to claim the chief
credit for Southern independence on the
ground of his refusal to accept an overture
by which il would have been defeated, but
il does not require large amount oil pene-
tration to perceive that this would have
been natural sequence.
| have the best authority for saying that
Mr.. Lincoln made the same representation
to Governor Peirpoint, General Millson, OF
Virginia, DR.. Stone, of Washington, Hon.
Garrett Davis, Robert A. Gray, OF Rock
ingham (brothcr-in-law to Mr.. Baldwin,,
Campbell Tarr, of Wheeling (and Irea-
surer Of West Eirginia), and three other
gentlemen in company with Mr.. Tarr, IN
| almost the precise words testified to by
me. Letters are before me to sustain this
assertion, and in every instance but one
voluntarily sent.
But all this having occurred in April,
1861, spoken of as it has been in social
circles among the best friends Of Mr..
Baldwin at intervals throughout this pc
riod, why is it that no denial Of its truth
has ever reached my ear during the life
time of Mr.. Lincoln, or during the great
| struqgle for life by the Southern Confedra.
cy, whose ultimate independence for nearly
four years Mr.. Baldwin did not doubt, and
as he testified, expected to be hanged if
| it failed ~
But have said when Mr.. Lewis gave his
testimony he did not believe in the posi-
bility of a denial, by authority of Mr..
Baldwin, and still less that that denial
would be made on oath by Mr.. Baldwin
himself, and therefore he was less circum-
spect and minute than he would otherwise
have been. See, however, what he now
says in letter written on the 7th Of April,
1866, now before me. He says:
You and know that Baldwin did acknowledge
that Mr.. Lincoln made the proposition to withdraw
the troops from Sumter upon the condition that tho
Nirginia Convention would ad journ without pass
ing an ordinance OF secession. some OF the sece'h
have been trying 10 persuade me that there was
only a mistake between Baldwin and myself |
hav. always answered MY statement OF the
matter Is before tho public am a. certsin OF It's
truth as am Of my own existence. lam nor mas
hfkeu. n my evidence is not correct lam Il per-
jrred mda. i can make no compromise"
Again, in q letter of the l4th he says:
You ask what think Of Baldwin's evidence;
can il IL has been correctly reported, have but
one opinion and that snythng but favorable to
Baldwin. have secn the report Of your evidence,
and think il u, nearly correct as II could be unless
Won had written IL out at the time the Interview
| took place. Baldwin and myself talked over the
| matter going to and returning from your house
ard 1t Is almost Impossible Tor me, al thls a"le 70
-"parate what was said ia your presence aud what
was said in going 10 and from your house. That
Baldwin admitted to mo before we got to your
house, and t. y"n after getting 10 your house, that
Mr.. Lincoln did propose In him tn II IL the tonvsn
ton would adjourn without passing an ordnance
/ nf secession, he wouId withdraw the troops from
! Fort sumter, is rs certain as that the sun rose
! this morning. ! rcco.lect the expre, sion he
n,Gd He ir Baldwin iai thai a5 H5 I5,, Lh hs
asked. - Hhnt !-,ch1t, ndjou.1t ,cihtoh a dngr'
1T wa, the ir,t tirne n my life that had heard the
| general meaning OF the term, J never knew the
| literal translation; and it made an impr",si9n
thst h"vs nsvTr iSTS1In Lincoln am rsped hf
tdinly.' Baldwin then said " The convention
. would not entertain such proposition Tor = mo-
non :. Gray, a colIeagus of Mr. Lewis IN the Com
| vention, and warm lcr-onal friend of Mr.. Bald
| wins several times about this during and since
| the war; hr il not anxious 10 be witness &c ],
sc Colonel Gray and myself las You KNOW
| boarded and roomed together. The morning after
| you informed me Of the interview between Bald
win and Mr. Lincoln, commenced telling cray
| about it, thinking he was as ignorant a. my-"ii,
when, TO my utter astonshnrnt, m % ne ,p,ams np IN
How in the name of God did you hear that !
remarked that II was true such an Interview had
, taken place. lie replied " thought there wer"
only three men In Richmond who knew such an
interview had taken place" Gray is the only
member ui the Convention that have met with
| who ac cknowledged that he knew anything about
that matter.
Here, then, is proof conclusive on this
head. need only say that more scru-
pulous, conscientious, and truthful Chris
tan gentitmnn does not live than John +.
Lewis, and that there is not man in this
State, friend or foe, who will say other
wise and if any Coppcrhead at the North
or traitor at the South shall hereafter
charge that Abraham Lincoln made unne-
cessary war upon the South, or that he
came into office under pledge to war
upon Southern institutions, his friends
may exultingly point to this record for
refutation of the SANDER, and to show
what great personal sacrifices that gene
rous-hearted and patriotic man was pre-
| pared to make to avert the heavy calami-
| ties Of a civil war and to throw tie re-
sponsibility where IL properly belongs.
1t is not of my seeking that this issue OF
veracty has been made. | did not desire
it. The statements and testimony OF both
parties is before the country, and they will
decide the matter, no doubt, fairly and im-
partially and to them submit she case
without fear of the result.