opinion that you were right when you resolved to let your vindication await the revival of the laws and the restoration of the popular mind to its wholesome normal condition. I know that in the mean time you must suffer annoyances, submit to misconstruction, and be the victim of many malicious slanders. It is hard for a man who has lived all his lifetime in a free country to endure this. But better that than worse. The breath that kindled these grim fires of persecution has the power to blow them into sevenfold wrath and plunge us in the flames. The tribunal that condemned you against evidence will drown your defence with the sound of its drums. But I submit to your better judgment. I only entreat you to remember that I oppose as far as I may the publication of any book or pamphlet on the subject of your administration at this time. I predict that whatever may become of this war-no matter which party is successful-a vindication of your policy and general conduct will be easily and successfully made in the course of a few months.

It is not to be denied that we all committed some errors. I am sure I did, and I think you did. I am quite willing that these shall be blazoned to the world and that the whole truth shall be made known for the sake of showing exactly how it was and by whom the present calamities were brought on the country. But at this moment the time is out of joint.

I am afraid you think that I have been less alive to your interests than I ought. If so, you are mistaken. I have never thought myself able to do you but one service; and that was to see justice done to your reputation. I have never for one moment relinquished the determination to perform my whole duty in this respect. I would have laid aside all other business and excuse and attended to that alone during the past summer and winter, if I had supposed it a fit and proper season.

There is one other thing which has given me trouble and pain. I am afraid that your views and mine are so far out of accord that you will never approve mine. Whether I differ from you or not is a matter of no moment. But for me to come before the public with any view which you would regard as unsound, unfavorable to yourself, or inconsistent with your own grounds of defence, would be as unpleasant a thing as I could do, except that of pledging myself upon a statement which I do not believe in. It is no more than candor to say that I think you have conceded too much to the policy of the present administration, and that at one period of your own administration you conceded too much to the South. But your desire to save the nation from anarchy, civil war, spoliation, and slaughter, and the sacrifices you made to that end, should place you high in the affections of your countrymen, and will put you high on the list of great patriots.

I certainly never received a letter from you which I did not reply to. Yours of 10 Jan. has therefore miscarried, or else my answer missed its way. I have written home for the paper you desire. Unless, therefore, Mr. Stanton has it, you will receive it in a very short time.

The opinion is easily got and shall be sent.

I am most truly

Your affectionate friend

J. S. BLACK.

HON. JAS. BUCHANAN.

P. S. When Genl. Cass communicated to me his intention to resign, I pressed him to remain in office. After he sent his letter to you, I called on him several times to see if he could be induced to withdraw it. After it was settled that I should be his successor, Thompson continued the endeavor to get a withdrawal of the resignation. I certainly heard, either from Genl. Cass or from Mr. Thompson or from both, that the General was willing to take it back and say no more about it. I told you this fact, but you said that you preferred to keep it.

MY DEAR SIR,

TO JUDGE BLACK.'

WHEATLAND 4 March 1862.

I have received your favor of the 1st Instant; but, I regret, without the opinion. I am happy to say you are entirely mistaken in supposing that I suffer from low spirits. I am astonished at my own health & spirits & the zest with which I enjoy the calm pleasures with which Providence has blessed me. It is true that I regret I had not called the attention of the public nearly a year ago to certain historical facts furnished by official documents, which would have relieved me from imputations affecting my character & in some degree that of my party; but I excuse myself by the consideration that I was too unwell to suffer my mind to play with a healthy & vigorous action.

I am not at all astonished to learn that your "views and mine are so far out of accord;" & that in my administration I first conceded too much to the South, & afterwards too much to the present administration. My policy was well matured, at least by myself, & was clearly & distinctly presented in the messages of Dec., 1860, & 8 January, 1861. From these I never consciously swerved. The first was approved by every member of the Cabinet except Thompson & Cobb, & to the last I believe there was no objection. After a full & careful review, I would not, if I could, alter this policy in any particular. I should have

1

1 Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Curtis's Buchanan, II. 585.

been glad could you have taken time to run your eyes over the paper delivered to you by Mr. Glossbrenner, & to have informed me of any mistakes which in your judgment I may have made in regard to facts. Our opinions may be at variance, but I should be truly sorry to present ourselves in opposition to each other in regard to matters of fact.

As to my course since the wicked bombardment of Fort Sumter:-it is but a regular consequence of my whole policy towards the seceding States. They had been informed over & over again by me what would be the consequence of an attack upon it. They chose to commence civil war, & Mr. Lincoln had no alternative but to defend the country against dismemberment. I certainly should have done the same thing had they begun the war in my time; & this they well knew. I am not conscious that the bad conduct of the South towards me, sustained, I believe, by Bright alone of the Northern Senators, has prejudiced my judgment against them. He has got his reward, though perhaps not in a very legitimate manner.

I hope you may be able to find the paper, the last sheets of which were handed to you by Mr. Stanton. It would be a great loss to me.

On your postscript in relation to Gen. Cass I shall not remark, further than to say it is not in accordance with my recollection.

Notwithstanding our misunderstandings, I hope we may ever continue to be friends. Towards you my heart is in the right place. If I should publish against your advice, it will be because throughout my life I have refuted slander on the spot when worthy of refutation, without regard to consequences. I think I owe this to the Democracy of Pennsylvania, which is now exhibiting unmistakable symptoms of a new & vigorous life, & indications of a continued attachment to myself.

I presume I need scarcely invite you to pay me a visit. This I promise, however, that if you will come & bring Mrs. Black along, I shall not introduce any subject which will give you pain, or on which we can possibly differ.

From your friend,

HON. J. S. BLACK.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

MY DEAR SIR/

TO MR. TOUCEY.'

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, 19 March 1862.

I cannot deny myself the pleasure of expressing the great satisfaction I have felt in perusing your testimony before Hale's Committee. I never saw it until a few minutes ago. I knew well how unjust the charges were against you & anticipated your triumphant vindication whenever you should be called upon to make it, & therefore it is not more conclusive than I had expected.

Forney set the report afloat that I was engaged in writing a history of my administration, life, & times. There is no truth in this; but it is true that I have collected & arranged the necessary documents, which might be put in form at any moment, to justify all my proceedings in regard to the South since the election of Mr. Lincoln. Your testimony alone was wanting to make them perfect. I wish very much I could see you. I could scarcely ask you to pay me a visit, unless you should take this on your way should you have occasion to visit Washington. I need. not say how cordial would be our welcome to Mrs. Toucey & yourself.

How strange have been the fortunes of your colleagues Holt, Dix, & Stanton! I was somewhat mortified when Holt accepted an auditorship under Cameron to investigate Fremont's accounts. I have a warm regard for General Dix, & think he deserves a better place than the head of the Baltimore police, where he can acquire no glory. I wish he were in the field at the head of a proper command.

My health is excellent, considering my age & late severe illness. I am contented, & should enjoy myself very much but for the troubles of the Country. Still, my spirits are cheerful. After a careful review of all that I have done or omitted to do since the unfortunate 6th November, 1860, I can lay my hand upon my heart & say that I have nothing to repent of. Our constant agreement in all important measures is a solace & comfort, & endears you to me in a peculiar manner. May you & yours be ever prosperous & happy!

'Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Curtis's Buchanan, II. 586.

With my warm & respectful regards to Mrs. Toucey, as well as those of Miss Lane, I remain,

Your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

HON ISAAC TOUCEY.

FROM JUDGE BLACK.'

WASHINGTON, March 25, 1862.

MY DEAR SIR:

Some time ago I was told, I know not by whom, that the New York newspapers had represented Mr. Stanton as behaving in your Cabinet like a bully, and I was asked if he would not contradict it. I did not see the article myself-did not know its contents-and merely understood it to be one of those fulsome laudations which those papers bestow on people who are in place. To-day at court Mr. Carlisle told me that you had written Dr. Blake on the subject. I asked Dr. B. what the article was, and he has just now sent me a letter from Thurlow Weed, cut from the Herald. Weed's letter is now lying before me.

Of course everybody who has the slightest knowledge of what was occurring at that time knows this story of Weed's to be a sheer fabrication made out of the whole cloth. Nor has it the slightest plausibility. I think no man of common sense can believe any part of the letter, for it is all of a piece from beginning to end. It was hardly meant for this country, but was probably considered “a good enough Morgan" for the London Observer, to which it was written. Certainly it has done nobody any harm, nor any good either, unless it has given Mr. Stanton some pleasure to see himself done into heroics, and about that I know nothing, though I certainly should have inquired into the state of his feelings if I had seen the thing when it first appeared on this side of the water.

Mr. Carlisle's idea seemed to be that your indignation at this silly falsehood had impelled you to the publication you contemplate. Is it worth while? If the article is worth contradicting at all, would it not be better to contradict it directly? How would it do for you to address Mr. Stanton, Genl. Dix, Mr. Holt, and me, or either of us, and ask the question whether it is true? If I had seen the thing before it got stale, I would have volunteered a contradiction on my own hook, and I would not stop to do so now if you make it a point.

The court adjourned to-day (Monday). As soon as I get through some work it has left me, I shall go home. I will not be at York more than a day or two without going to see you. My regards to Miss Lane.

Most truly yours, &c.

HON. JAMES BUCHANAN.

1 Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

J. S. BLACK.