My dear sir:—­Your obliging answer to my short note is just received, and for which please accept my thanks.  I fully appreciate the present peril the country is in, and the weight of responsibility on me.  Do the people of the South really entertain fear that a Republican administration would, directly or indirectly, interfere with the slaves, or with them about the slaves?  If they do, I wish to assure you, as once a friend, and still, I hope, not an enemy, that there is no cause for such fears.  The South would be in no more danger in this respect than it was in the days of Washington.  I suppose, however, this does not meet the case.  You think slavery is right and ought to be extended, while we think it is wrong and ought to be restricted.  That, I suppose, is the rub.  It certainly is the only substantial difference between us.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

SUPPORT OF THE FUGITIVE SLAVE CLAUSE

MEMORANDUM

December [22?], 1860

Resolved:  That the fugitive slave clause of the Constitution ought to be enforced by a law of Congress, with efficient provisions for that object, not obliging private persons to assist in its execution, but punishing all who resist it, and with the usual safeguards to liberty, securing free men against being surrendered as slaves.

That all State laws, if there be such, really or apparently in conflict with such law of Congress, ought to be repealed; and no opposition to the execution of such law of Congress ought to be made.

That the Federal Union must be preserved.

Prepared for the consideration of the Republican members of the Senate
Committee of Thirteen.

TO D. HUNTER.

(Confidential.)
Springfield, Illinois December 22, 1860

Major David Hunter.

My dear sir:—­I am much obliged by the receipt of yours of the 18th.  The most we can do now is to watch events, and be as well prepared as possible for any turn things may take.  If the forts fall, my judgment is that they are to be retaken.  When I shall determine definitely my time of starting to Washington, I will notify you.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO I. N. MORRIS

(Confidential.)
Springfield, ill., Dec 24, 1860

Hon.  I. N. Morris.

My dear sir:—­Without supposing that you and I are any nearer together, politically, than heretofore, allow me to tender you my sincere thanks for your Union resolution, expressive of views upon which we never were, and, I trust, never will be at variance.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.