Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-24
EDWIE N. STANTON IN 1861.
SOME LETTERS He WROTE TO Ex-
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN.
He Predicts McclelIan's Failure Through
Cabinet lntrignes and RePubh-
can Interference"

rive give below such extracts as we
have room for from the very sensational
letters of Edwin NJ. Stanton to ex-Presi-
dent Buchanan, printed for the first
time i'm the North AnericdR ReUleU for
November. The editor OF the RerieW, in
printingthem says,-"rhese letters were
handed to the editor for publication by
a distinguished gentleman, who desires
that his name may not Tor the present
be made known, and into whose posses
sion they came indirectly IRON collec-
ton of private papers lett by the late
President Buchanan. OF their anthem
ticity no more doubt can be entertained
than of the importance of the light
which they throw upon that twilight
period lust preceding the outbreak OF
the civil war, about which so little has
ever been definitely and accurately
known, and the interest OF which grows
with with every passing day and month
and year,
WASHINGTON, April 3, 1861.
DEAR SIR: Although a considerable
period has elapsed since the date OF my
last letter to YOU nothing has transpired
here of interest but what is fully detail
ed in the newspapers. Mr.. Toucey left
here last week. Judge Black is still in
the city. General Dix made a short
visit at the request of the Secretary OF
the Treasury. Mr.. Holt, think, is still
here. but have not seen him for sever
al davs. You of course saw ThOmpson's
answer and Mr.. Hollis reply. l have
not had any intercourse with any OF the
present Cabinet, except few brief in
terviews with Mr.. Bates, the Attorney
General, on business connected with his
department. Mr.. Lincoln | have not
seen. He is said to be very much
broken down with the pressure that IS
upon him in respect to appointments.
The policy of the Administration in
respect to the seeding States remains
i'm obscurity. There has been rumOr
for the last two or three days that, not
yithstanding all that has been said, there
will be an effort to reinforce Fort SUM-
ter. But do not believe a word OF it.
The special messenger, Colonel Lamon,
told me that he was satishedit could not
be done.
The new loan has been bid for at bet
ter rates than | anticipated, and | per-
ceive General Dix was one OF the largest
bidders at the highest rates. The new
tariff bill seems to give the Administra-
ton great trouble; and luckily 1t Is a
measure OF their own The first month
oftts Administration SEEMS 10 hare furnished
an ample UiHdicdtiOn Of your policy. and
TO hare rendered al occasion Of other de-
tsIlse needless. The rumOrs from Rich
mOnd are very threatening; secession IS
rapidly gaining strength there. Hoping
that YOU are in the enjoyment OF good
health and happiness, | remain as ever,
yours, EDWIN VI STANTON
WASHINGTON, April -, 1861.
DEAR SIR: We have the war upon us.
The Geographic news of this morning
YOU will have seen before this reaches
you. The impression here is held by
many
/. That the effort to reinforce will be
a failure.
.. That in less than twenty-four hours
from this time Anderson will have sur
rendered.
3. That i'm less than thirty days Davis
will be in possession OF Washington.
Yours truly,
Edwin NJ. STANTON.
His ErcelleRcy James BiichUldR.
WASHINGTON, May, IL, 1861.
DEAR SIR: The fling of Mr..
f. w. Seward about negotiation"
would merit retOrt ii there were an in
dependent press and the state OF the
times admitted discussion of such mat
ters. The negotiations carried on by
!, l,s fafla 10
miSsiOners through Judge Campbell and
Judge Nelson will some day, perhaps,
be brought to light, and, if they were as
has been presented TO me, Mr. Seward
and the Lincoln's Administration will
not be in a position to make sneering
observations respecting any negotiations
during your Administration. Ii was in
reference To these that Jefferson Davis
in his message spoke with SO much Sc
verify. You no doubt observed his allu-
sion To informal negotiations through a
person holding a high station in the
Government OF the United States, and
which were participated in by other
persons holding stations equally high.
/ have understood that Judge Campbell
was the person alluded to, and that
dNtl-t- -NClcbll anu NabAbA WIZ
the other persons cogniZant OF Mr.. Sew
ards assurances respecting the eyacua-
ton of Fort Sumter. In re-
spect TO the military operations going on
or contemplated little is known until the
results are announced in the newspapers.
General Scott seems to have carte blanche.
He is i'm fact the Government, and If his
health continues, vigorous measures are
anticipated. For the last few days l
havebeen moving my family, my former
residence being made unpleasant by
troops and hospitals, surrounding me.
In the present state of affairs | do not
ike to leave home or would pay you a
visit, but no one knows what may hap
pen any day or how soon communica-
tons may be again interrupted. March,
ing and drilling are going on all day in
every street. The troops that have ar
rived here are in general fine looking,
able-bOdied, active men, well equipped
and apparently ready and willing for the
service i'm which they are engaged.