Beschreibung
George W. Johnson, Autograph Letter Signed, to George D. Prentice, July 22, 1861, [Georgetown, KY?]. 3 pp., 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. "The terms on which the Southern Confederacy desire Peace, are the union of the 15 Slave States and their Independence as a 'Southern Confederacy'. For such recognition by the 'United States', they will concede, a condition to stand forever - towit Reciprocal Free trade between the two nations, in the Products of each." In this "Strictly Confidential" letter, Kentucky Governor George W. Johnson seeks the support of co-founder and editor George D. Prentice of the Louisville Journal for a peace plan that would permit free trade between the two nations of the Confederacy and the United States. Johnson offers to purchase $50,000 of Journal stock or pay Prentice $25,000 in gold for his support. Prentice did not accept the offer and though critical of President Abraham Lincoln remained a Unionist, though both of his sons fought for the Confederacy.Complete Transcript Strictly ConfidentialGeorge D. Prentice Esq.Louisville, KyDr Sir, You have long since expressed the opinion, that the Southern States could not and should not be subdued by arms. If then subjugation is impossible and wrong, this war should not be sustained, unless it is a war of Defence by the "U. States". In the Southern States, the idea of waging war except in self defense is not even talked, and he who would advocate a war for the subjugation of the North, would be scouted as a fool. The terms on which the Southern Confederacy desire Peace, are the union of the 15 Slave States and their Independence as a "Southern Confederacy". For such recognition by the "United States", they will concede, a condition to stand forever - towit Reciprocal Free trade between the two nations, in the Products of each. In other words, the "United States" shall import into the "Southern Confederacy" all of its Products free of Duty, and in like manner the Southern Confederacy shall import into the United States its products free of duty. This will leave each Government to lay its own Tariffs, exempting the product of each reciprocally from such Tariffs Such Terms of Peace would be mutually beneficial and highly calculated to produce a kind feeling between the two sections; would give to Northern manufactures the full advantage of the Southern Tariff, and to Southern sugar, wool, hemp and provisions the advantage of the Northern Tariff. It would obviate all difficulties as to the navigation of the Mississippi and its Tributaries and a long line of inland Custom Houses. If there is any obstacle in the way of your advocating these positions, in the ownership of the stock of the Journal, I will furnish in 10 days in New Orleans, fifty thousand dollars in Gold, to purchase that amount of its stock. If no such difficulty is [as] this exists, but others involving personal obligation and responsibility on your part to party or Friends, I will in like time 10 days, pay to you in Gold 25,000 dollars to be disposed of by you, without question on my part, in any way you wish as your absolute property, so as to secure to your release from all personal obligations interfering with the advocacy of these measures by you. In this contest, our Friends, have fully embarked, not only their lives, but their property and consider that your influence is the only thing now needed to secure a Union of Parties in Kentucky, and that opinions held and expressed by you frequently heretofore offer no impediment to this arrangement. We think that the advocacy by you of such terms of adjustment, as are desire by the South will prevent a sacrifice on our part, of a large amount of property, and prevent a Civil War between citizens of the state. If you accept either of these terms, the conditions on my part, will be performed, with the perfect conviction, that we will have thus secured the union of all good men in Kentucky and that you will thus become t. (See website for full description). Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 26799
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