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To Elihu B. Washburne1Jump to section
My dear Sir. Your long letter received. Prevent, as far as possible, any of our friends from demoralizing themselves, and our cause, by entertaining propositions for compromise of any sort, on ``slavery extention'' There is no possible compromise upon it, but which puts us under again, and leaves all our work to do over again. Whether it be a Mo. line, or Eli Thayer's Pop. Sov. it is all the same. Let either be done, & immediately filibustering and extending slavery recommences. On that point hold firm, as with a chain of steel. Yours as ever A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, owned by Clarke Washburne, Winnetka, Illinois. Washburne wrote on December 9 of the imminent peril of secession, his fear that President Buchanan would let Charleston forts go by not sending a defending force, and his belief that Republicans should stay out of the debate in Congress and that in particular the Committee of Thirty-three would do little good, but would result `` . . . in distracting our friends. . . . ''(DLC-RTL).