The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-13
PAY FOR EMANcIPATED SLAVES.
Letter from MIR. Watterson Concerns
ing LincoIn's Attitude In 1SO4-65.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
VIII you allow me space in the Journal
to challenge your historic accuracy in the
matter of Mr.. Lincolns proposed plan to
pay for the Southern slaves and at the
same time to maintain the correctness OF
my own statement on that subject.
You say that Mr. Watterson makes
serious error as to the date of Mr.. Lin
coins joint resolution in favor of emanci-
pated compensation That resolution was
sent to Congress March 6, 1862, instead of
in the winter of 1915 His proclamation
of warning was issued Sept. %, 1862 and the
emancipation proclamation Jan. /, 1858. He
never wrote uttered a word in favor of
paying for the slaves after the latter date"
should be guilty of a criminal per-
version of history If had made the serious
error you aScribe to me.
Mr.. Lincoln did, stated by you, send
to Congress message the 9Th of March,
1852, suggesting joint resolution pledg-
ing the government to Cooperate" with
ANY State which may adopt gradual
abolition of slavery, giving to such State
pecuniary add" but he did also, Feb S,
1855, as stated by me, submit to his Cabinet
a joint resolution, proposing the appropria-
ton of "$400. 100000 to be paid ito the
States of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware,
Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vir-
ginia and West Virginia." 1.-The
payment to be made in 6-per-cent. govern
ment bonds and to be distributed to said
States pro rata on their respective slave
population as shown by the census of
1862" the consideration being that all re-
sistance to the federal authority should
cease ION or before the first day of April
QS65l next.1-See Letters and State Papers
of Abraham Lincoln, pages 635, $685. also
Nicolay and Hays Life, volume 10, chapter
VII, pages 1873 to 1877, inclusive.
He did at the same time submit the draft
of a proclamation to be issued by himself,
as President, when this joint resolution
should be passed by Congress.
He did say (see authorities above quOted)
to the confederate commissioners at Fort
resS Monroe that "he would be willing to
be taxed to remunerate the Southern peo-
pie for their slaves" and that he knew
some who were in favor of an appropria-
ton as high as four hundred millions of
dollars for this purpose, adding, Il could
mention persons, whose names would aston
war shall now cease, without further ex-
pense.''
This embraces all that I said, which
touching the continuance of Slavery having
been made by me; but the statement that
Mr.. Lincoln said to Mr.. Stephens write
Union at the top of this page, and you
may write below it whatever else you
please" Mr.. Stephens stated to many per-
sons, myself included Mr.. Lincoln I'M
doubtedly had in his mind the terms that
Grant gave Lee, and that Sherman gave
Johnston. 1t was the warm, cordial, saffec-
tionate expression, delivered by one old
friend to another, personally and unofficial
ly, neither understanding it to be a carte
l am sure you would do me no injustice,
nor mislead the readers of your great
journal in SO grave matter Of history;
Louisville March o