The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress
William H. Seward to Abraham Lincoln, Saturday, December 29, 1860 (Fort Sumter)
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Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois.
William H. Seward to Abraham Lincoln, Saturday, December 29, 1860 (Fort Sumter)
From William H. Seward to Abraham Lincoln1, December 29, 1860
(Private)
Washington Dec. 29. 1860
My Dear Sir,
At length I have gotten a position in which I can see what is going on in the Councils of the President
It pains me to learn that things there are even worse than is understood. The President is debating day and night on the question whether he shall not recal Maj. Anderson2 & surrender Fort Sumpter, and go on arming the South-- A plot is forming to seize the Capitol on or before the 4th of March -- and this too has its accomplices in the public councils-- I could tell you more particularly than I dare write. But you must not imagine that I am not giving you suspicions and rumors-- Believe that I know what I write--
In point of fact the responsibilities of your administration must begin before the time arrives-- I therefore revive the suggestion of your coming here earlier than you otherwise would -- and coming in by surprise -- without announcement.
I ought as soon as may be to know your Secretary of War & Secretary of the Navy, and they ought to be here as soon as possible -- that I may confer with them, and they may be prepared. The same is true of the Treasury
I trust that by this time you will be able to know your correspondent without his signature, which for prudence is omitted.
[Note 1 Though unsigned and sent under the frank of Senator John P. Hale, Lincoln reocgnized the handwriting as that of William H. Seward.]
[Note 2 Robert Anderson]