Annotation
[1] ALS, RPB. Maxwell's telegram, received at 2:35 P.M., is as follows: ``Albert Gallatin Thorp informed me that Seymour is well controlled beyond safe limits---why hesitate'' (DLC-RTL).
An undated letter from Maxwell is apparently in reply to Lincoln's telegram:
``My friend Albert Gallatin Thorp a zealous Republican, a large property owner in New York a connexion of Mr Vanderbilt and intimate with conttrolling friends of Gov Seymour stated to me that, in deprecating the dangerous issues which Seymour was presenting in the last election, he was assured that he need not feel disturbed that they had perfect control of Seymour intimating that he should not go further than the U. S. Government would let him.
``The whole country is observing with interest the course of the Administration in dealing with the New York conscription. If not proceeded with, say by an officer of known determination such as General Butler with military and naval forces to support him, the Union goes up in a blaze of State Rights. An exhibition of resolution will insure Seymours submission, the execution of the draft elsewhere and the avoidance of foreign intervention I stated the views of Mr Thorp to a gentleman who went to Washington this morning but fearing he might not obtain an interview during his brief stay I dispatched the telegram that led to these particulars in answer to your dispatch. I would further refer you to the continuation of my `Rough Notes' that I mailed you this morning.''
``Rough Notes for the President
``Execute the draft regardless of Seymours hired rioters or abandon it everywhere. If you enforce it in New York the democrats have nothing left to stand on. If you suspend it there and execute it elsewhere dissatisfaction will destroy the Administration party.
``Ask Swinton of the New York Times who are the tardy generals in Rosecrans army.