To Andrew Johnson1Jump to section
Hon. Andrew Johnson: Executive Mansion,
My dear Sir: Washington, September 11, 1863.
All Tennessee is now clear of armed insurrectionists. You need not to be reminded that it is the nick of time for re-inaugerating2Jump to section a loyal State government. Not a moment should be lost. You, and the co-operating friends there, can better judge of the ways and means, than can be judged by any here. I only offer a few suggestions. The re-inaugeration3Jump to section must not be such as to give control of the State, and it's representation in Congress, to the enemies of the Union, driving it's friends there into political exile. The whole struggle for Tennessee will have been profitless to both State and Nation, if it so ends that Gov. Johnson is put down, and Gov. Harris is put up. It must not be so. You must have it otherwise. Let the reconstruction be the work of such men only as can be trusted for the Union. Exclude all others, and trust that your government, so organized, will be recognized here, as being the one of republican form, to be guarranteed to the state, and to be protected against invasion and domestic violence.
It is something on the question of time, to remember that it can not be known who is next to occupy the position I now hold, nor what he will do.
I see that you have declared in favor of emancipation in Tennessee, for which, may God bless you. Get emancipation into your new State government---Constitution---and there will be no such word as fail for your case.
The raising of colored troops I think will greatly help every way. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, NNP; LS copy, DLC-RTL. Governor Johnson telegraphed his reply on September 17: ``I have just read your letter which gives me pleasure & encouragement. It remind me of calling your attention while in Washington the 4th Section of the constitution & the propriety under that section of authorizing the military govt to exercise all power necessary & proper to secure to the people of Tennessee a republican form of govt you will perhaps remember that I showed you a paper which was drawn up containing the whole proposition which you endorsed & referred to the Secy of War Such authority emanating from the Prest under the clause above referred would exert much influence on the public mind here. I desire it---directed from the President. I have taken decided ground for Emancipation for immediate emancipation from gradual emancipation Now is the time for settlement of this question Hence