Hosea4.html

Robert Hosea to Abraham Lincoln, February 7, 1861

Page 4

and friends they were assured of a majority in both

houses for at least the two first years against your

administration, and could have obtained easily

any redress if their cause were just; they could

then and there have presented their grievances in

a constitutional and dignified manner, and

earned respect for themselves and from others.

Forcing them to acknowledge all these ad-

-missions, they admitted they knew

their cause was unjust, weak, insincere

and unable to bear inspection and discussion,

and determined to withdraw from Congress,

dissolve the Union, stir up rebellion and

accomplish what they really were after, viz

"The abolishment of our revenue system,

the inauguration of Free trade and if possible

to prevent the completion of the Pacific R R"

which uniting the East, the South, the centre,

the West and the North, by the bonds of mutual

interest, and good neighborhood might prove if

ever completed too strong an obstacle to their

disunion sentiments. They would be willing

for a southern Pacific R R through Texas

and aiming at the Port of Guaymas on the Gulf of

Cal which would assist them in their filibus-

tering designs on northern Mexico, but to a central

or northern Pacific R R they never consent the

extension of government aid, and opposed the Homestead

law, as they thought its provisions would promote north-

ern emigration too rapidly into the territories, which

they wish to retain as long as possible for their purposes

of agitation, besides such emigration would promote too

rapidly the completion of the Pacific R R.