Beschreibung:

LINCOLN, ABRAHAM, President . Letter signed ("A. Lincoln") as President, to Messers. E.E. Malhiot, Bradish Johnson and Thomas Cottman, a "Committee appointed by the Planters of the State of Louisiana"; Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C., 19 June 1863. 3 pages, large legal folio, written on rectos only, the three sheets neatly joined at the top by two small metal grommets, minor soiling and some wear to folds, verso of last leaf docketed "Communication of A. Lincoln. " THE BEGINNINGS OF RECONSTRUCTION: "THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA SHALL NOT LACK AN OPPORTUNITY OF A FAIR ELECTION FOR BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICERS" An early manifestation of a crucial and complex problem facing Lincoln as President: what form of government and constitution should be instituted in the former secession states, and what procedures devised for elections and for their re-admission to the Union? Since the capture of New Orleans by Farragut and a Union army under Benjamin F. Butler in April 1862, residents there and in surrounding parishes under Union control had chafed under the harsh military rule imposed by "Beast" Butler. Many of the local Plantation owners met in a convention on 1 May at the St. Charles Hotel, selected a Committee (consisting of Malhiot, Johnson and Cottman), and drafted a formal letter to Lincoln which appealed for the reinstatement of the pre-secession state constitution and Constitutional rights under Federal law, thereby raising, as Lincoln was quick to perceive, important military and Constitutional issues. Lincoln explains that "your letter...has been received and considered." The Committee's letter, apparently delivered to Lincoln on 1 June, whose text is given here in full, reads as follows: "'The undersigned, a Committee appointed by the Planters of the State of Louisiana...have been delegated to seek of the General Government a full recognition of all the rights of the States as they existed previous to the passage of an act of secession, upon the principle of the existence of the State Constitution unimpaired, and no legal act having transpired that could in any way deprive them of the advantages conferred by that Consitution. Under this Consitution the State wishes to return to its full allegiance [to the Union], in the enjoyment of all its rights and privileges exercised by the other States under the Federal Constitution....We further request that your Excellency will as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United States direct the military Governor of Louisiana [Benjamin Franklin Butler] to order an election in conformity with the Consititution and Laws of the State...for all State and Federal officers....'" Lincoln responds: "Since receiving the letter, reliable information has reached me that a respectable portion of the Louisiana people, desire to amend their State Constitution, and contemplate holding a convention for that object. This fact alone, as it seems to me, is a sufficient reason why the general government should not give the committal you seek, to the existing State Constitution. I may add that while I do not perceive how such committal could facilitate our military operations in Louisiana, I really apprehend it might be so used as to embarrass them. "As to an election to be held next November, there is abundant time, without any order, or proclamation from me, just now. The people of Louisiana shall not lack an opportunity of a fair election for both Federal and State officers, by want of anything within my power to give them....." The issues of slavery and emancipation were involved, too. On 6 June, Lincoln had received a second letter on the subject of the state constitution from another Louisianian, Michael Hahn, who contended that "the Union people of this State...are all in favor of a re-organization of a loyal State government. The only question on which they are divided is as to whether a new Constitution should be made, or the old Constitution of 1852 adhered to. Those in favor of a Convent