Blair, Montgomery (1813-1883) to Francis S. Corkran
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02090 Author/Creator: Blair, Montgomery (1813-1883) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14-17 April 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 20.7 x 25.4 cm. Order a Copy
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.
Blair was a counsel for Dred Scott's defense in the famous case, and served as Postmaster General in Lincoln's cabinet. Francis Blair was a United States Representative from Missouri 1857-1864 and Senator 1869-1872. Francis S. Corkran was an abolitionist and a Republican politician from Maryland.
Dear Corkran,
I showed your letter to the President & he was very desirous of seeing the article in the American & I sent it to him - I have not seen him since he read it - But there can be no doubt [that] the article will gratify him.
I send you herewith a Speech made by Frank on friday defending the Presidents policy which the American [ought] to publish [inserted: even as a matter of interest]. The President has read it & approves it. But as a speech purporting to give the views of the President [connectedly] on the vital subject [2] it ought to have a place in the paper. [struck: But when] [inserted: And as] it contains intrinsic evidence [struck: of] that it correctly expounds the Presidents views it is authoritative even without the statement that it meets the approval of the President since he saw it in print.
You will find the speech a very remarkable one & if published & public attention can be [struck: called] [inserted: attracted] to it it will help [struck: it] to quiet things in Maryland very much -
The [exposition] of the [issue] in the Election contained in the Speech - & the [proof] by the reference to the Compromise [3] of 1850 of what the people demand in relation to Slavery should be attended to as tending to relieve 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 [struck: taking] [inserted: taking] down the [ultraisms] here by letting the abolitionists see that they have the real strength in the county.
Yrs trly
M Blair
[docket]
M. Blair
Washington
1862
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.