Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7.

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Title
Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7.
Author
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication
New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press
1953.
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"Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln7. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 29, 2024.

Pages

To Nathaniel P. Banks1Jump to section

Executive Mansion,
Major General Banks Washington, Nov. 5. 1863.

Three months ago to-day I wrote you about Louisiana affairs, stating, on the word of Gov. Shepley, as I understood him, that Mr. Durant was taking a registry of citizens, preparatory to the election of a constitutional convention for that State. I sent a copy of the letter to Mr. Durant; and I now have his letter, written two months after, acknowledging receipt, and saying he is not taking such registry; and he does not let me know that he personally is expecting to do so. Mr. Flanders, to whom I also sent a copy, is now here, and he says nothing has yet been done. This disappoints me bitterly; yet I do not throw blame on you or on them. I do however, urge both you and them, to lose no more time. Gov. Shepley has special instructions from the War Department. I wish him---these gentlemen and others co-operating---without waiting for more territory, to go to work and give me a tangible nucleus which the remainder of the State may rally around as fast as it can, and which I can at once recognize and sustain as the true State government. And in that work I wish you, and all under your command, to give them a hearty sympathy and support. The instruction to Gov. Shepley bases the movement (and rightfully too) upon the loyal element. Time is important. There is danger, even now, that the adverse element seeks insidiously to pre-occupy the ground. If a few professedly loyal men shall draw the disloyal about them, and colorably set up a State government, repudiating the emancipation proclamation, and re-establishing slavery, I can not recognize or sustain their work. I should fall powerless in the attempt. This government, in such an attitude, would be a house divided against itself. I have said, and say again, that if a new State government, acting in harmony with this government, and consistently with general freedom, shall think best to adopt a reasonable temporary arrangement, in relation to the landless and homeless freed people, I do not object; but my word is out to be for and

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not against them on the question of their permanent freedom. I do not insist upon such temporary arrangement, but only say such would not be objectionable to me. Yours very truly

A. LINCOLN.

Annotation

[1]   ALS, CSmH. See Lincoln to Banks, August 5, supra. On October 1 Thomas J. Durant wrote Lincoln that, ``By your letter to General Banks, you appear to think that a Registration of voters is going on under my superintendence, with the view of bringing on the election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention; but such is not the case. The means of communicating with a large portion of the state, are not in our power, and before the commencement of a Registration we ought to have undisturbed control of a considerable territory, at least the two congressional districts proclaimed as not being in rebellion. . . .'' (Enclosed with Durant to Stanton, October 5, 1863, DLC-RTL).

On December 11 Benjamin F. Flanders wrote:

``I have shown the copy, which you permitted me to take, of your letter to General Banks, to Mr. Durant Mr. Hahn, Judge Whitaker and a few others of our prominent union men, and it gives to all of them great encouragement and satisfaction.

``The letter has had the desired effect upon the Military leaders; they are stimulated to action by it.

``There is now, and I believe there will continue to be a commendable zeal and entire unity of action among the friends of the Government and its officers civil & military in the movement to form a State, a free State government for Louisiana. The measures taken for this great object will I think be stamped with prudence, and we hope their result will meet your expectations.'' (DLC-RTL).

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