Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883 to Francis S. Corkran

Date and location from docket. Previously showed a letter from Corkran to President Abraham Lincoln. In response, Lincoln desired to see an article related to the topic of the letter, in "The American" (possibly a newspaper with which Corkran was affiliated). Lincoln also read and approved a speech by Frank (likely Francis Preston Blair), Montgomery's brother, covering Lincoln's views on slavery. Discusses the speech, noting that if "published and public attention can be attracted to it it will help to quiet things in Maryland very much... [and] to releave the people of Maryland of any apprehension that the people of the North will in any way interfere with the institution of Slavery in Maryland further than to aid them to get rid of it if they desire to do so. The speech will probably have a good affect in taking down the ultraisms here by letting the abolitionists see that they have the real strength in the country." The month and day is not noted on the letter. On 14 April 1862 Montgomery Blair forwarded the Baltimore "American" article he references here to President Abraham Lincoln. In this letter, Blair references his brother's speech as having been on Friday (it was on Friday, 11 April 1862). Based on this information we are assuming that Blair wrote this letter around the 14-17 April 1862.