To William Kellogg [1]
My dear Sir--- Dec. 11. 1860
Entertain no proposition for a compromise in regard to the extension of slavery. The instant you do, they have us under again; all our labor is lost, and sooner or later must be done over. Douglas is sure to be again trying to bring in his ``Pop. Sov.'' Have none of it. The tug has to come & better now than later.
You know I think the fugitive slave clause of the constitution ought to be enforced---to put it on the mildest form, ought not to be resisted. In haste Yours as ever A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi. Kellogg wrote on December 6, advising Lincoln of the action of the House in raising a committee, of which he was a member, `` . . . to consider that part of the President's Message in relation to the secession of the Cotton States. . . . '' and asking Lincoln's suggestions `` . . . in relation to the remedy for the present difficulties. . . . ''(DLC-RTL).
