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Pierrepont, Edwards (1817-1892) to William Evarts

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05603.01.02 Author/Creator: Pierrepont, Edwards (1817-1892) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 March 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.6 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Recounts a private conversation with the Secretary of State William H. Seward. Discusses presidential politics. Reports that Salmon P. Chase has withdrawn from the election. Remarks, "Mr. Lincoln has the people; there is no doubt of this; but he has not the upper classes nor the Politicians ... The Copperheads are all for McClellan. The radicals and Germans for Fremont. The Common Man for Lincoln ... " Mentions the ongoing Civil War, "Grant [General Ulysses S.] comes here today and leads the Army of the Potomac. We have every confidence that Lee must be destroyed ... We expect bloody and desperate battles." Believes that if Grant defeats Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Grant will be the next president. Expresses his views on Lincoln, "I shall be much surprised if Mr. Lincoln is the next President. It cannot be. A leader must be needed. He is no leader - that, all concede." Thinks that Grant has a better chance than Lincoln depending on the outcome of upcoming battles. States that the country will be ready to go to war with England and France if provoked. Remarks, "England ought to know that we are far more ready to go to war now than before the Rebelion ... " Believes that the United States could attack England's commerce.

Edwards was an American lawyer and statesman, U.S. Attorney General 1875-1876, and U.S. Minister to Great Britain. Evarts was a prominent New York attorney, and future Attorney General and Secretary of State.

I hope you may soon return - I miss you much
Washington
22 March 1864
My Dr. Evarts
I was at Gov. Sewards last night. He was quite alone - He says he shall not let you come home in May - that it must not be - that you are all important &c. he was very complimentary- He talked very freely and he impresses me as quite the [brainiest?] man in this nation as a statesman - take him all in all - We were alone and he did not seem to fear being misunderstood. Mr. Chase has in a measure withdrawn from the contest - Mr. Lincoln has the people; there is no doubt of this; but he has not the upper classes nor the Politicians. The Secretary of War gave me an account of our army yesterday - We have now over 800,000 effective men in the field - normally many more - in thirty days he will have over a million of able fighting men - every one ready for duty you may rely upon this - it is even understated.
Our finances are our greatest trouble - but in this I have confidence eventually - Grant comes here today and leads the Army of the Potomac. We have every confidence that Lee must be destroyed - We have at least 3 to 1 against him - the men will fight and Grant will fight we expect bloody and desperate battles
The Copperheads are all for McClellan. The Radicals & Germans for Fremont. The common man for Lincoln. The upper class & Politicians for a change. Weed is not for Lincoln but he does not know who he is for yet. I do not think that Seward is for Lincoln. I do not think Lincoln will be nominated. If Grant takes Lee he will certainly be the next President. But so much depends upon the coming battles that no one can form any judgment which is worth a wit - Even Seward, thinks it is quite impossible to judge at all.
I shall be much surprised if Mr. Lincoln is the next President. It cannot be. A leader must be needed. He is no leader - that, all concede.
Grant and Lincoln both have the hearts of the people - & they alone - in that they have no rivals; Grant does not want to be President. Lincoln does. Grant's chances are certainly the better. But we shall wait & see. I do not consider my opinion or that of any one of the smallest value. It all depends upon the fate of battles now soon to be decided.
Of one thing be assured we are ready to go to War with England & France combined if they provoke it. Many of our best men think it would put an end to the export of gold & to the import of foreign luxuries & as our trade is already destroyed by the Pirates which England has encouraged, we could prey upon her commerce which we would do with a will. England may be sure that with over a million of fighting men in the field - with our vast navy - with our extent of territory - with every thing we need within ourselves - we were never half so strong - nor half so ready for war with any nation which, by injustice, chooses to provoke it - England ought to know that we are far more ready to go to war now than before the Rebelion - What the Alabama has done to our commerce - ought to tell England what we can do to hers - [illegible] yrs. Edwards Pierrepont

Pierrepont, Edwards, 1817-1892
Evarts, William Maxwell, 1818-1901
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873
McClellan, George B., 1826-1885
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

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