United States History Student Edition

B

Lincoln Writes to Representative John Gilmer December 15, 1860

Not long after his election, President Lincoln replied to a letter from John Gilmer, a member of Congress from North Carolina. Gilmer had asked Lincoln to answer six questions about his views on slavery. The representative hoped to calm the fears of Southern leaders and discourage secession.

PRIMARY SOURCE: LETTER “ I have no thought of recommending the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, nor the slave trade among the slave states, even on the conditions indicated; and if I were to make such recommendation, it is quite clear Congress would not follow it. . . . On the territorial question, I am inflexible. . . . On that, there is a difference between you and us; and it is the only substantial difference. You think slavery is right and ought to be extended; we think it is wrong and ought to be restricted. For this, neither has any just occasion to be angry with the other. As to the state laws, . . . I really know very little of them. I never have read one. If any of them are in conflict with the fugitive slave clause, or any other part of the constitution, I certainly should be glad of their repeal; but I could hardly be justified, as a citizen of Illinois, or as President of the United States, to recommend the repeal of a statute of Vermont, or South Carolina. ” — from The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 4 just occasion reason

EXAMINE THE SOURCE 1. Summarizing What are Lincoln’s views on slavery in new territories? 2. Analyzing As a newly elected president, are Lincoln’s views about slavery consistent with his views when he ran for the Senate? 3. Predicting Do you think this letter helped reassure Southern leaders that Lincoln was not a threat to their way of life? Why or why not?

PHOTO: Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress; TEXT: Lincoln, Abraham. “Letter to John Gilmer, Dec. 15, 1860.” In Nicolay, John G. and Hay, John. “The President-Elect at Springfield.” The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine. Vol. XXXV, ns Vol XIII. Nov. 1887-April 1888.

465 Division and Civil War