Chapter XXVII (3)

I have to thank you for your valued letters of the 12th and 13th
ult., which I have read with great interest. I think you give too
much importance to newspaper attacks. Judging by my own feelings,
I should say readers of newspapers do not believe a word of these
attacks, but put them down to party tactics. Lord Palmerston, in
the last session of Parliament, in answering a speech of Mr.
Horsman, who complained that the _Times_ had abused him and
ridiculed his speeches, remarked, that he always thought that he
(Lord P.) was the best abused of any man in the Kingdom, but he
was not disturbed by it. A gentleman once applied to Lord
Melbourne for advice whether he should accept a seat in the
cabinet which was offered him. Lord M. said: “If you do not mind
being abused daily in the newspapers, you will find office very
pleasant; but if your happiness is at all disturbed by such abuse,
you had best not take office.” Gallatin’s theory was that no man
ever did his duty that was not abused by the newspapers. I never
had a doubt that you would execute the high duties of the office
of President of the United States with honor to yourself and great
advantage to the country; and I feel sure that your great public
services will be approved by the country at no distant day. It was
shameful that Congress should leave you without the power to stop
the rebellion before it had become so formidable. I have, however,
full faith in the patriotism of the people of the free States;
that they will punish rebels, and preserve the Constitution, I
have no doubt. Secession is out of the question. Who would ever
lend money to a Government of the United States, if aware that it
could be broken up any day by a right of any State to secede? This
government will, I think, do nothing more. The want of cotton will
be severely felt at Manchester the coming winter. By that time I
hope the Southern States will give in. The remittance by Miss
Lane, to whom, pray, give my kind regards, has been placed to her
credit, and subject to her orders, in the books of Baring Brothers
& Co. (£2,000), subject to interest at 4 per cent. per annum.

I remain, my dear Sir, with the highest respect,

Very truly yours,
JOSHUA BATES.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO A COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF CHESTER AND
LANCASTER COUNTIES.]

WHEATLAND, September 28, 1861.

DEAR SIR:—

I have been honored by your kind invitation, as Chairman of the
appropriate committee, to attend and address a Union meeting of
the citizens of Chester and Lancaster counties, to be held at
Hagersville on the first of October. This I should gladly accept,
proceeding as it does from a much valued portion of my old
Congressional district, but advancing years and the present state
of my health render it impossible.

You correctly estimate the deep interest which I feel “in common
with the citizens who will there be assembled, in the present
condition of our country.” This is, indeed, serious, but our
recent military reverses, so far from producing despondency in the
minds of a loyal and powerful people, will only animate them to
more mighty exertions in sustaining a war which has become
inevitable by the assault of the Confederate States upon Fort
Sumter. For this reason, were it possible for me to address your
meeting, waiving all other topics, I should confine myself to a
solemn and earnest appeal to my countrymen, and especially those
without families, to volunteer for the war, and join the many
thousands of brave and patriotic volunteers who are already in the
field.

This is the moment for action; for PROMPT, ENERGETIC and UNITED
action; and not for discussion of PEACE PROPOSITIONS. These, we
must know, would be rejected by the States that have seceded,
unless we should offer to recognize their independence, which is
entirely out of the question. Better counsels may hereafter
prevail, when these people shall be convinced that the war is
conducted, not for their conquest or subjugation, but solely for
the purpose of bringing them back to their original position in
the Union, without impairing, in the slightest degree, any of
their Constitutional rights. Whilst, therefore, we shall cordially
hail their return under our common and glorious flag, and welcome
them as brothers, yet, until that happy day shall arrive, it will
be our duty to support the President with all the men and means at
the command of the country, in a vigorous and successful
prosecution of the war.

Yours very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO J. BUCHANAN HENRY.]

WHEATLAND, October 21, 1861.

MY DEAR JAMES:—

I have mislaid your last letter, and have not answered it sooner,
awaiting information that my account had been settled and the
balance struck in the Chemical Bank. I think there would be no
risk, and if so, no danger in sending a bank book or the
certificate of loan by mail. I believe that New York Loan is
registered, and without coupons—but there is no hurry in either
case.

I am determined to sell all my seceded State bonds this fall for
what they will bring. North Carolinas will probably command $60,
and I would sell at that price to-morrow, but dislike to send the
certificates by mail. These loans may rise or sink in the market,
as the Bulls or the Bears may prevail; but after the war is over,
let it terminate as it may, these States will be so exhausted as
not to be able to pay, be they never so willing. As you sometimes
deal in stocks, I give you this _confidentially_ as my opinion.

We have never heard a word from or of our good friend Schell since
he left us. How is he? or what has become of him?

I think it is now time that I should not merely defend but
triumphantly vindicate myself, or cause myself to be vindicated
before the public, though my friends still urge me to wait.

I believe it is universally believed that Floyd stole guns and
sent them to the South. There is not a word of truth in it, as is
proved by a report of the Committee on Military Affairs to the
House of Representatives on the 18th February last, Mr. Stanton, a
Black Republican, being chairman. It is true that at a late period
of the administration, Floyd made the attempt to send a
considerable number of columbiads and thirty-two pounders to Ship
Island and Galveston, but I arrested the order, through the
Secretary of War, before a single gun was sent.

We are expecting Mrs. Roosevelt, and I shall be delighted to see
her, though we shall not be able to entertain her as I could
desire. I have never at any period since I commenced housekeeping,
been able to get a good cook, or even a tolerably good one, except
at Washington, and we now have one of the worst. We shall,
however, give her a hearty welcome.

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

P. S.—For what price can New York Loan be obtained in the market?
Have the Messrs. O’Brien my Virginia certificate in their
possession? The Confederates have not confiscated State loans in
their infamous act, and I presume there would be no difficulty in
assigning it.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. KING.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, November 12, 1861.

MY DEAR SIR:—

You will confer a great favor upon me if you can obtain a
half-dozen of copies of Mr. Stanton’s report from the Committee on
Military Affairs, made on the 18th February, 1861 (No. 85),
relative to the arms alleged to have been stolen and sent to the
South by Floyd. This report, with the remarks of Mr. Stanton when
presenting it, ought to have put this matter at rest, and it did
so, I believe, so far as Congress was concerned. It has, however,
been recently repeated by Cameron, Reverdy Johnson and others, and
I desire these copies to send to different parts of the Union, so
that the falsehood may be refuted by the record. I am no further
interested in the matter than, if the charge were true, it might
argue a want of vigilance on my part.

I perceive that Mr. Holt has got a .... from the Secretary of War,
and I learn from those who read Forney’s _Press_ that Stanton is
the counsel and friend of McClellan, who is, I trust and hope,
“the coming man.”

By the bye, it is difficult to imagine how it was possible to
mystify so plain a subject, under the laws of war, as an exchange
of prisoners with the rebels, so as to make it mean a recognition
in any form, however remote, of their Confederacy. It admits
nothing but that your enemy, whether pirate, rebel, Algerine or
regular government, has got your soldiers in his possession, and
you have his soldiers in your possession. The exchange means
nothing beyond. The laws of humanity are not confined to any other
limit. The more barbarous and cruel the enemy, the greater is the
necessity for an exchange; because the greater is the danger that
they will shed the blood of your soldiers. I do not apply this
remark to the Confederate States, and only use it by way of
illustration. I believe they have not treated their prisoners
cruelly.

They do not seem to understand at Washington another plain
principle of the law of nations, and that is, that whilst the
capture and confiscation of private property at sea is still
permissible, this is not the case on land. Such are all the
authorities. The Treaty of Ghent recognized slaves as private
property, and therefore they were to be restored; and we paid for
all our army consumed in Mexico. The rebels have violated this law
in the most reckless manner.

But why am I writing so? I have materials put together which will
constitute, unless I am greatly mistaken, not merely a good
defence, but a triumphant vindication of my administration. You
must not be astonished some day to find in print, portraits drawn
by myself of all those who ever served in my cabinet. I think I
know them all perfectly, unless it may be Stanton.

I hope Miss King has entirely recovered. Please present me to her
very kindly, as well as to Mrs. King. I am now alone, Miss Lane
being in New York; but thank God! I am tranquil and contented,
sound, or nearly so, in body, and I trust sound in mind, and ever
true to my friends.

From your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[GENERAL DIX TO MR. BUCHANAN.]

BALTIMORE, December 2, 1861.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I enclose you a proclamation, rather out of date, but not the less
valuable, I trust, for having been sent out on the very day John
Cochrane proclaimed the infamous and cowardly scheme of arming
slaves against their masters.

I believe every State north of South Carolina and Mississippi may
be reclaimed by a just and enlightened policy. The abolitionists
will make a powerful effort to drag the country into the
emancipation of slaves. But I am confident they will fail.
Fortunately this project cannot be separated from the support of
Fremont, and it will for that reason, I think, be condemned by the
friends of the administration.

The _Herald_ said my proclamation was inspired by the President. I
do not yet know whether he approves it. It was put forth without
consulting any one. I knew I was right; and when this conviction
is strong, I never consult friends, for fear they may differ with
me.

It has been a source of great gratification to me to hear, as I
have frequently from Mr. Magraw, of your improved health. That you
may live to see this unhappy contest ended, and good fellowship
restored again is the sincere wish of, dear sir, yours very
respectfully and truly,

JOHN A. DIX.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS LANE.]

WHEATLAND, December 2, 1861.

MY DEAR HARRIET:—

I have received your letters of the 20th and 30th ultimo, and in
compliance with the request in the latter return you Judge Black’s
opinion. I have heard nothing from him since his call on the way
to York after parting from you at the Continental.

I hope you are enjoying yourself. Indeed this cannot fail to be
the case with such a charming lady as Mrs. Roosevelt. We get along
very comfortably and pleasantly at Wheatland. I received a letter
yesterday from Annie Buchanan offering to pay me a visit; but I
advised her to defer it until after your return. Indeed this would
be no place for her at present. I wish you, however, to remain at
New York just as long as you find it agreeable.

I am glad to learn that Judge Nelson believes that Captain Wilkes
can be sustained by public law in the seizure of Mason and
Slidell. I place great reliance upon his judgment, but at the
first we shall probably receive a terrific broadside from the
English journals.

The more I saw of the Misses Johnston, I liked them the better.
They are fine women.

I often see the Nevins and am glad of it. I dine to-day at Harry
Magraw’s. The dinner is given to Bishop Wood.

With my kindest regards to the Judge and Mrs. Roosevelt, I remain

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. KING.]

WHEATLAND, December 10, 1861.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received a package directed in your well-known hand; and
upon opening it discover a letter directed to Miss Lane, which I
shall forward to her, with a beautiful pair of slippers and fan;
the former, I presume, for myself.

Miss Lane has been in New York since early in November, and I know
not when she will return.

Presuming that the slippers are a New Year’s gift from Miss King
to myself, I desire to express my grateful thanks to her for this
token of her regard. Present to her my kindest wishes for her
health, prosperity, and happiness.

I wish I had something to write to you about which might interest
you; but my life glides on so smoothly that I should scarcely know
how time passes, were it not for the terrible condition of the
country. I never expected to see the day when the Federal
Government would assume the power of issuing a paper currency,
much less of making it a legal tender.

With my kindest regards to Mrs. and Miss King, I remain

Always your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

P.S.—Your letter of the 18th November is the last I have heard
from any member of my late cabinet. I have kind friends at
Washington, however, who occasionally give me the news. I was glad
to see that Judge Black had been appointed reporter to the Supreme
Court. The position is respectable, though a descent......

[MR. BUCHANAN TO THE HON. RICHARD COBDEN.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, PENN., }
December 14, 1861. }

MY DEAR SIR:—

I ought long since to have answered your letter of September; but
a protracted illness, from which, thank God! I have some time
since recovered, has left me far behind with my correspondence. It
is my sincere desire always to cherish the intimacy which
commenced between us in better and happier days. I deeply regret
that the feelings of friendship between the people of the two
countries are not what they were when we parted at Washington more
than two years ago. The public journals on both sides of the water
have contributed much to produce this result. Still the masses on
our side are far from being hostile to the English people, whilst
they entertain a very high regard for Queen Victoria.

I trust that the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board the
Trent may be viewed in what I consider its proper light by the
British ministry. A neutral nation is the common friend of both
belligerents, and has no right to aid the one to the injury of the
other. It is, consequently, very clear, under the law of nations,
that a neutral vessel has no right to carry articles contraband of
war to any enemy, to transport his troops or his despatches. These
principles are well settled by British authority. And Sir W.
Scott, in the case of the Atalanta (Wheaton, 566) informs us that
the writers on public law declare “that the belligerent may stop
the ambassador of his enemy on his way.” And why not? If it be
unlawful to carry despatches, with the greater reason it must be
unlawful to carry ministers who write despatches, and to whom
despatches are addressed, who are the agents of one belligerent
government on their way to a neutral country for the express
purpose of enlisting its government in the war against the other.

In some respects it would have been better had Captain Wilkes
seized the Trent and brought her into port. It would then have
become a purely judicial question, to be decided upon precedent
and authority by the appropriate court of admiralty, and the two
governments would not then have been brought face to face as they
are now confronting each other. Under all the circumstances, I do
not think that this seizure presents a justifiable cause of
quarrel on the part of the British government, and I trust you may
take this view of the subject.

In reference to your question in regard to blockade, no
administration within the last half century, up to the end of my
term, would have consented to a general declaration abolishing
privateering. Our most effectual means of annoying a great naval
power upon the ocean is by granting letters of marque and
reprisal. We could not possibly, therefore, have consented to the
Paris declaration which would have left the vessels (for example
of Great Britain or France) free to capture our merchant vessels,
whilst we should have deprived ourselves of the employment of the
force which had proved so powerful in capturing their merchant
vessels. Hence the proposition of Mr. Marcy to abolish war upon
private property altogether on the ocean, as modern civilization
had abolished it on the land. I do not think that a proposition
was ever made to abolish blockade. I certainly have no
recollection of it.

I am rejoiced to learn that Mr. Bright is well; I was afraid, when
I left England, that his health was in an unpromising condition.
Please to remember me in the kindest terms to him and Mr. Gibson.
Miss Lane is in New York; if she were at home, she would have many
kind messages to send you.

From your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS LANE.]

WHEATLAND, December 19th, 1861.

MY DEAR HARRIET:—

I have received your favor of the 18th instant, and am truly sorry
to learn the death of my friend Mr. Lanahan. At one period I was
very much attached to him, and I still continue to entertain for
him cordial feelings of kindness......

You ask my opinion on the Slidell and Mason affair, and whether
there is danger of a war with England. I think, as a fair
deduction from British authorities, that Captain Wilkes might have
seized the Trent and brought her into port for adjudication. Had
he done this, it would have become a judicial question, and the
two nations would not have been brought front to front in
opposition to each other. That he only seized the commissioners
and let the vessel go was an act intended for kindness on his
part. Certainly, a war can not grow out of this question, unless
Great Britain desires it, without very bad management on our side.
My kindest regards to the Judge and Mrs. Roosevelt.

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. LEIPER.]

WHEATLAND, December 21, 1861.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have just received your kind letter of the 19th instant, and, in
answer, I think I may say that my health is restored. The swelling
in my legs and feet has disappeared, and I now walk to Lancaster
with great enjoyment.

You advise me to keep quiet, which I shall do for the present. I
shall bide my time, under a perfect conviction that my
administration cannot only be satisfactorily defended, but
triumphantly vindicated.

I wish with all my heart that I could be with you at the meeting
of your children and grandchildren on Christmas; but this is out
of the question. The happy faces and innocent gambols of children
have always had a charm for me. May you live many days in health
and prosperity to enjoy such meetings around the family altar. As
I cannot be present at the hospitable board, I hope you will drink
my health in a glass of the old Custom House Madeira.

I am, like you, a passenger in the omnibus; and, although nothing
could tempt me again to become a driver, yet I cannot avoid
feeling deep anxiety for my country. I trust the danger of a war
with England has passed away; but, if such a disastrous event
should occur, it will be a war created by the newspapers. With my
kindest regards to Mrs. Leiper and all your patriarchal family, I
remain,

Very respectfully, your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

P.S.—Your sweetheart, Miss Lane, has been absent several weeks in
New York, and I do not expect her home until after the New Year. I
sincerely wish she felt more of a disposition than she does to
bind herself in the silken cords which you describe.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS LANE.]

WHEATLAND, December 25th, 1861.

MY DEAR HARRIET:—

I have received your favor of yesterday and am happy to inform you
that Doctor Blake has contradicted the picture and Japanese
falsehood in the _National Intelligencer_ of yesterday. You have
probably ere this seen it.

I have passed a very sober, quiet and contented Christmas. I went
to hear Mr. Krotel in the morning and came immediately home. It is
the first day for many a day that I have had no visitors. Miss
Hetty and myself dined together very pleasantly.

Poor Prince Albert! I think in many respects he was to be pitied.
His position was very awkward, but he sustained it with becoming
dignity. He could not assume the position of William the Third and
say, if I am not to be king and am to be placed in a subordinate
position to the queen, I shall return to Holland.

I intend to give Harry Magraw a dinner on Saturday next, but I can
not rival the dinner which he gave when last at home. No such
dinner has ever been given in Lancaster, at least to my knowledge.

I have not received a line from Judge Black nor seen him since he
called here after meeting you in Philadelphia. I am glad he has
been appointed reporter to the Supreme Court.

I enclose you an invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Wharton. I have
answered my own, and informed them that I would send yours to you
in New York. You will judge whether you ought to answer.

I wish you to remain in New York just as long as this may be
agreeable to yourself and to Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt. You would
have a dull time here at this season.

Please to remember me in the kindest terms to the Judge and Mrs.
Roosevelt, with my ardent wishes that they may pass many years
together in peace, prosperity and happiness.

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO DR. BLAKE.]

WHEATLAND, December 30, 1861.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 27th instant, and thank you most
kindly for your efficient agency in correcting the slander of the
correspondent of the New York ——. Lord Lyons’ letter is quite
satisfactory.

Thank Heaven there is now no danger of an immediate war with
England. That Mason and Slidell would be surrendered to John Bull
I had expected for some time, from the editorials and
correspondence of the New York _Herald_, which is evidently in the
confidence of the administration or some members of it.

I know nothing of what is going on in Washington, except from the
papers. From them I perceive that Judge Black has been appointed
Reporter of the Supreme Court, and that General Cameron has
conferred upon Mr. Holt the appointment of Auditor of General
Fremont’s accounts. I believe that Stanton and Horatio King have
not yet been provided for.

I have not seen an account of your marriage; but this, I expect,
will come along some day. How happy I should be to see you here. I
now soon expect Miss Lane.

From your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.