Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03660

Author/Creator: Pierce, Franklin (1804-1869)

Place Written: Nassau Island [R.I.?]

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 21 January 1860

Pagination: 6 p. 21 x 14 cm

Summary of Content: Written while on vacation. Argues that Civil War is inevitable unless the Democrats regain control of the government

Historical Era: National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860

Full Transcript: Nassau, Island of New Providence Jany 21, 1860, My dear Nephew, , We made our passage from New York under the most agreeable auspices. From the time we cast off our moorings at Jersey City until we came to anchor in this harbor we sailed upon a perfectly tranquil sea. The transition from severe cold to very warm weather was sudden and rather trying. In forty hours after we left our coast we were sitting under an awning to protect us from the sun’s rays - When we landed and for two or three days afterward, the temperature was like the intense heat of July in N. H. A pleasant change, however, occurred three days since and we are now enjoying a brisk, [illegible] breeze from the Northwest. The seat of Government for the Bahamas groups is on this Island, which is twenty miles in length by ten in width - It is of limestone formation with only the slightest covering of earth, and yet large trees grow luxuriantly extending their roots immense distances on the surface. This city and its suburbs contains about ten thousand souls - three quarters of whom are colored, lazy and thriftless. Fish are taken in abundance and this and the neighboring Islands produce in profusion bannanas [sic], bread wine, plantain, pineapple, oranges, sweet potatoes, yams & other tropical fruits. Upon these the Negroes chiefly subsist - The climate is admirable and this city salubrious throughout the year. I think your Aunt, who is [illegible] for her may enjoy the winter & spring months here and perhaps gain in health and vigor. When we left New York I thought the aspect of affairs at Washington and elsewhere was full of evil boding for our country. Perhaps the clouds are breaking a little now. I hope so. But the injust irritating pitting assaults rapt up by the north against the south for the last twenty years upon the subject of domestic slavery, can, if continued, produce but one result in the end, and that it seems to me may not be far distant - Disruption, I have never believed, can occur without the shedding of blood. And if constitutional men are driven to arms, by a numerical majority, which sectionalism may command, let no one suppose that the conflict is to rage along Masons and Dixons line - It is vain to say that majority is to rule independent of and against the constitution and the decisions of the tribunal authorized to expound it. It is our boast that the constitution rules & controls majorities - while it was made for the protection of all, it was made especially for the protection of minorities. Without it, a majority would be the worst & most irresponsible despotism - it would be the reckless despotism of a mob. In the chaos which the disruption of the Union would produce the danger of arms would be heard in our own streets & highways and at our doors, between those who deny constitutional authority & scout constitutional obligations and those, who revere that instrument and who mean, so long as they live, to live under the shield of its protection. The truth is we must overthrow abolition cant, abolition folly and abolition treason, at the ballot box, or we must go down together in a common gulf of anarchy & destruction. Can our people, I mean those who are really not fanaticks themselves, be roused to a sense of their danger & duty. There never was an occasion which presented to our citizens considerations so entirely above ordinary party purposes and motives - I shall send this letter by the steamer Karnak, which is now due at this port on her return trip to New York. She will leave N.Y. for this port on the 11th of Feby. You must write as soon as you receive this and direct as below - Give my kindest regards to yr wife, your father & yr. brother - My Henry and family and Ms. Potter & the Judge - I had reason to expect that I should hear from my brother before I left the country - You can say to him if you please that his failure to write to me caused me more pain, than he perhaps imagines - , , Your affect[ionate] Uncle, , Franklin Pierce, , John McNeil Esq., Hillsboro N.H., , ”Nassau Island of New Providence via City of New York and steamer Karnak”

Keywords/Subjects: President, Government & Civics, Politics, Democratic party, Election, Republican party, Civil War

Sub Era: Age of Jackson