Unknown [Printed letter to William Cabell Rives discussing Virginia's secession]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05021.02 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Printed document Date: after 15 May 1861 Pagination: 7 p. ; 24.1 x 15.4 cm. Order a Copy
Colonel Peyton discusses Virginia's recent secession from the Union, stating "I think Virginia would have acted more wisely ... if, with her prestige as the great head of the slave states, she had planted her foot upon the opening lid of this Pandora's box, and taken a position of armed neutrality." Outlines the events that provoked Virginia's secession. Discussing the Constitution of 1787, declares "It came to us baptized in the blood of the Revolution ... It goes from us besmeared, and begrimed, and defiled by immersion in the dirty pools of abolitionism ..." Referring to President Abraham Lincoln and the impending war, states "He has read history to poor advantage ... Nothing short of a total upheaval of society need be looked for; a social and political earthquake ..." Accompanied by a hand written, signed version of this letter (refer to GLC05021.01).
Rives served as a United States Representative from Virginia 1823-1830, as Senator 1831-1844, and as a member of the 1861 Washington D. C. peace convention, held to formulate an attempt to prevent the Civil War.
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