ATTEMPT TO FORM A COALITION CABINET

TO HANNIBAL HAMLIN

Springfield, Illinois, December 14, 1860.

Hon.  Hannibal Hamlin.

My dear sir:—­I need a man of Democratic antecedents from New England.  I cannot get a fair share of that element in without.  This stands in the way of Mr. Adams.  I think of Governor Banks, Mr. Welles, and Mr. Tuck.  Which of them do the New England delegation prefer?  Or shall I decide for myself?

Yours as ever,

A. Lincoln.

1861

TO WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

(Private.)
Springfield.  Ill., January 3, 1861.

Hon.  W. H. Seward.

Dear sir:—­Yours without signature was received last night.  I have been considering your suggestions as to my reaching Washington somewhat earlier than is usual.  It seems to me the inauguration is not the most dangerous point for us.  Our adversaries have us now clearly at disadvantage on the second Wednesday of February, when the votes should be officially counted.  If the two houses refuse to meet at all, or meet without a quorum of each, where shall we be?  I do not think that this counting is constitutionally essential to the election, but how are we to proceed in the absence of it?  In view of this, I think it is best for me not to attempt appearing in Washington till the result of that ceremony is known.

It certainly would be of some advantage if you could know who are to be at the heads of the War and Navy departments, but until I can ascertain definitely whether I can get any suitable men from the South, and who, and how many, I can not well decide.  As yet, I have no word from Mr. Gilmer in answer to my request for an interview with him.  I look for something on the subject, through you, before long.

Yours very truly,

A.Lincoln.

TO W. H. SEWARD.

(Private.)
Springfield, ill., January 12, 1861

Hon.  W. H. Seward.

My dear sir:—­Yours of the 8th received.  I still hope Mr. Gilmer will, on a fair understanding with us, consent to take a place in the Cabinet.  The preference for him over Mr. Hunt or Mr. Gentry is that, up to date—­he has a living position in the South, while they have not.  He is only better than Winter Davis in that he is farther south.  I fear, if we could get, we could not safely take more than one such man—­that is, not more than one who opposed us in the election—­the danger being to lose the confidence of our own friends.  Your selection for the State Department having become public, I am happy to find scarcely any objection to it.  I shall have trouble with every other Northern Cabinet appointment—­so much so that I shall have to defer them as long as possible to avoid being teased into insanity, to make changes.