delegated to seek of the General Government a full recognition of all the rights of the State, as they existed previous to the passage of an act of secession, upon the principle of the existence of the State Constitution unimpaired, and no legal act having transpired that could in any way deprive them of the advantages conferred by that Constitution. Under this constitution the State wishes to return to its full allegiance, in the enjoyment of all rights and privileges exercised by the other states under the Federal Constitution. With the view of accomplishing the desired object, we farther request that your Excellency will as Commander-in-chief of the Army of the United States direct the military Governor of Louisiana to order an election in conformity with the constitution and laws of the State, on the first Monday of November next, for all State and Federal Officers.
``With high consideration and respect we have the honor to subscribe ourselves Your Obt Servts. E. E. MALHIOT
BRADISH JOHNSON
THOMAS COTTMAN.''
Since receiving the letter, reliable information has reached me that a respectable portion of the Louisiana people desire to amend their State constitution, and contemplate holding a convention for that object. This fact alone, as it seems to me, is a sufficient reason why the general government should not give the committal you seek, to the existing State constitution. I may add that, while I do not perceive how such committal could facilitate our military operations in Louisiana, I really apprehend it might be so used as to embarrass them.
As to an election to be held next November, there is abundant time, without any order, or proclamation from me just now. The people of Louisiana shall not lack an oppertunity of a fair election for both Federal and State officers, by want of anything within my power to give them. Your Obt. Servt. A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ADfS and LS copy, DLC-RTL. The original letter from Malhiot, Johnson, and Cottman is undated, but it was presented to Lincoln prior to Monday, June 15. On June 18, Thomas Cottman wrote Lincoln as follows: ``My colleagues have departed leaving me to receive the response that your Excellency was kind enough to promise us for Monday last. I hope it will not be regarded as impertinent to ask attention to the matter at earliest convenience. . . .'' (DLC-RTL). The meeting of planters at New Orleans, which appointed the committee to present Lincoln with their request, was held on May 1, at the St. Charles Hotel, and the letter was probably delivered by the committee prior to June 1. On June 6, Michael Hahn wrote Lincoln, ``The Union people of this State (except, of course, office-holders) are all in favor of a re-organization of a loyal State government. The only question on which they are divided is as to whether a new Constitution should be made, or the old Constitution of 1852 adhered to. Those in favor of a Convention and a new Constitution are