The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-08-15

ty Days OF the War in
North Carolina" She
sought information
from the leading parti-
- cipants, and among
other letters written to her describing
che events preceding and during the
war was the following interesting
communication from William A Ora
ham:
Hillsboro. Feb. 20, 1866.
Mrs. Cornelia A. Spencer,
Dear Madam: Yours Of the 18th
instant was duly received, and lam
under great bligat1ons tor the 'Ai1id'
interest you are pleased to express
in q just exposition of my humble
course and efforts for the public veal
in the late tremendous revolution.
nave had some scruples as to the
publication Of the facts contained in
my letters to Governor Swain in the
latter scenes Of the war, lest it might
occasion my being called as a witness
in the trial of Mr.. Davis, which Mr..
Seward assured me would be had ny
the Government l perceived, how
ever, that General Lee has been re-
GENTLY examined by the committee
on reconstruction in Congress; and
his information, as we'll as that of
others who are accessible, touching
the action of the accused, being so
much more awful than mine. that
there is little probability Of my ap-
prehensions being realized. l am
aware of no serious objection to the
reference you propose to make to the
facts in question. I owe the late
President nothing more than a falr
requital for the marked courtesy and
personal kindness which was mani
Tested in our official intercourse; but
should greatly d~eprecate n action
on the part OF myself or friends, which
might add t. his embarrassments or
offer to exhibit towards him harsh
ness or Indifference. But for enti-
ments of this nature, | might myseiI
have brought to public notice some
of the circumstances to which
letters in question refer, in
cation against the course OF 60 por-
ton of the public press and ofhclais
under the regime of the restoration
My connection from the origin of the
party with the Wing policies emoved
me in the furtherest possible degree
from any countenance to the doc
trines of qualification or secession.
Hence L had conceded with Web
ster's great speech in reply to Hayne
an 1880, with the proclamation OF
Jackson in 1882, with Clay in 1850,
with the entire policy of the admins
tration of Fillmore, which was emf
nently National. In February, 1860.
though not in public life, I had visited
Washington by arrangement with
friends such as Crittenden of Ken
lucky, Rives Of Virginia, Granger G?
of New York, etc, to consult on the
dangers then threatening the Union,
and to endeavor to avert them. The
result was a convention which nom1-
mated Bell and Everett with the motto.
The Union, the Constitution and the
Enforcement of the Laws I can
Vassed the State in favor of these
candidates and principles; n against
breckenridge; warning the people,
however. that there was a likelihood
OF the election of Mr.. Lincoln, ana
that in such event, it was the pur-
pose Of the sece~ssionists, who sup
ported Breckenridge, to break up the
Government and involve them in CIVIL
war. My speeches at Salisbury, VIM
ston and Wilmington especially, ell
aborated these views. Party was
stronger, however, than patriotism
and Breckenridge carried the State.
The papers announcing that l hau
Indignantly refused a cabinet appoint
ment rendered by Mr.. Lincoln, I pub
fshed a letter in the Wilmington Her
aid, correcting the statement that I
mad been offered such a place. L
have recently learned that a CORE
spondence with a gentleman in Phlla-
delphia was designed to tender the
office-which 1 lie not know then
stating hat I had no acquaintance
with the President-elect, and no ex-
p%ectation Of any offer Of public m
ployment under him; that [ had said l
should decline, if the lender were
made, as / did not agree in Mr.. Lin
coins leading policy; but advising
the people to submit to his cleo
ton, and yield the obedience due to
his ottice-and made public addresses
70 the same effect. When the Legis-
1ature ordered an election to TAX the
sense Of the people on the call of a
convention, and at the same time to
elect delegates. III opposed the call,
and 1T was signally defeated in the
State; and was at the same time elect
ed a delegate. II was] proposed as
q commissioner to the peace confer
ence and rejected by the secession
majority in h Legislature, because of