Franklin County: John Berryhill to Simon Cameron,
January 11, 1861
Summary:
Berryhill comments on the secession crisis.
January 11. 1861
Chambersburg
Honorable Simon Cameron
Dear Sir,
I have been here for several Weeks and have been watching the general course of
events, by reading the Philadelphia Enquirer,
Press, & New York Tribune & occasionally the Herald, & I
can assure you Crittenden's course is the most
proper and popular at this time, and if you can't
compromise, so as to retain Virginia, Maryland Tennessee Kentucky and Missouri-
in the Union, Then let the Southern Fire eaters and rabid abolitionists and
uncompromising shall I say, Black Republicans go their
own way to destruction for that will be their
destruction & I fear of the whole
country, but before this let the Middle Portion of the Republic go for a
separate, Independant, & free country or Join Canida & come
under Queen Victoria and secure us life liberty equality & protection,
Our Country must have a larger Military force and
Scott & Anderson, to wield the helm of State, no more temporizing with
Trators & disunionist. King of your house, used the right language, to
Davis & these [unclear: lackeys] should be expelled. Traitors, sitting there
accepting pay and compensation to dismember the union it is disgraceful and I
might say horrible when the consequences are taken into account, I hope still
for peace & my voices for
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this still, but the over ruling
power of the conservatives--I have as you know always been a Whig & a
Jackson Man, but now I feel, looking at Hickman Stephens & other
Republicans, like joining the Democrats, the [unclear: Bigler]
Stripe--Douglas is rather too versatile to be trusted - I have now to turn to
another matter relating to yourself, I seen the letter from Mr Gehr to you, it
was full and frank, and in unison, entirely with my feelings, and he has today written, a letter, more conservative than the
other, to Abraham Lincoln, it will not be libellous but
equally as strong, showing up McClure and the opinion of him here, and that no
other man than yourself was ever spoken or thought of for Mr Lincoln's Cabinet
and McClure's antipathy arises against your,
appointment from personal, considerations
alone, others here may also quietly advise Mr Lincoln, excuse my freedom and
liberty as all I have said and done towards this matter has arisen from old and
long established friendship, which I shall carry with me to the grave. I am now
in my 76 year.--I will keep for you a copy of Gehr's
letter to Lincoln,--with sentiment of high regard I am your friend &c
John Berryhill
P.S. I just hear one or two will write more in detail
expecting McClure
John Berryhill
