Letter signed Edw. Bates [Edward Bates], Attorney General's Office, to Hon. H.R. Gamble, Jefferson City, August 2, 1861
Digital Image
Identifier: D03013
Language of Materials
English
- Hamilton Rowan Gamble Papers | Letter signed Edward Bates, Attorney General’s Office, to Honorable H.R. Gamble, Jefferson City. I rejoice at the wise course taken by the Missouri convention. I rejoice for the state at large, because I believe that internal peace and tranquility will soon be restored – and I rejoice for you personally, because I believe that you will be made the honored instrument of much good to our country. You, better than any extreme man, can tranquilize the state and thus enable the government to remove causes of irritation by withdrawing a large portion of its troops, for which there will be need elsewhere. The effect upon the general result will be great and will show itself plainly. The internal peace of Missouri and its security in the union – patent and acknowledged – will do more towards the suppression of the insurrection in the border states than 100,000 of our best men in the army. You see the prize before you – and God bless you in your efforts to win it. I shall look for proclamation from you every day – and probably a letter to the President. A recent opinion of mine, upon the powers of the president [of which I sent you a copy involving some high points of constitutional law, is much talked of in lego-political circles. Although many men have found it easier to denounce my opinion than to answer it, I risk my reputation upon the soundness of its main conclusions. By a letter, just now received from Dr. Halsey, I hear your family is well. Individuals mentioned include President and Dr. Halsey. (3 pages), 1861 Aug 2
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