where, their offspring outnumber those deceased. The question is, if the colored people are persuaded to go anywhere, why not there? One reason for unwillingness to do so is that some of you would rather remain within reach of the country of your nativity. I do not know how much attachment you may have toward our race. It does not strike me that you have the greatest reason to love them. But still you are attached to them, at all events. The place I am thinking about for a colony is in Central America. It is nearer to us than Liberianot much more than one fourth as far as Liberia, and within seven days' run by steamers. Unlike Liberia, it is a great line of travel-it is a highway. The country is a very excellent one for any people, and with great natural resources and advantages, and especially because of the similarity of climate with your native soil, thus being suited to your physical condition. The particular place I have in view is to be a great highway from the Atlantic or Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, and this particular place has all the advantages for a colony. On both sides there are harbors-among the finest in the world. Again, there is evidence of very rich coal-mines. A certain amount of coal is valuable in any country. Why I attach so much importance to coal is, it will afford an opportunity to the inhabitants for immediate employment till they get ready to settle permanently in their homes. If you take colonists where there is no good landing, there is a bad show; and so where there is nothing to cultivate and of which to make a farm. But if something is started so that you can get your daily bread as soon as reach you there, it is a great advantage. Coal land is the best thing I know of with which to commence an enterprise. To return-you have been talked to upon this subject, and told that a speculation is intended by gentlemen who have an interest in the country, including the coal-mines. We have been mistaken all our lives if we do not know whites, as well as blacks, look to their self-interest. Unless among those deficient of intellect, everybody you trade with makes something. You meet with these things here and everywhere. If such persons have what will be an advantage to them, the question is whether it cannot be made of advantage to you. You are intelligent, and know that success does not so much depend on external help as on self-reliance. Much, therefore, depends upon yourselves. As to the coal-mines, I think I see the means available for your self-reliance. I shall, if I get a sufficient number of you engaged, have provision made that you shall not be wronged. If you will engage in the enterprise, I will spend some of the money intrusted to me. I am not sure you will succeed. The government may lose the money; but we cannot succeed unless we try, and we think with care we can succeed. The political affairs in Central America are not in quite as satisfactory a condition as I wish. There are contending factions in that quarter, but it is true all the factions are agreed alike on the subject of colonization, and want it, and are more generous than we are here. To your colored race they have no objection I would endeavor to have you made the equals, and have the best assurance that you should be the equals, of the best. The practical thing I want to ascertain is whether I can get a number of able-bodied men, with their wives and children, who are willing to go when I present evidence of encouragement and protection. Could I get a hundred tolerably intelligent men, with their wives and children, and able to “cut their own fodder," so to speak? Can I have fifty? If I could find twenty-five able-bodied men, with a mixture of women and children-good things in the family relation, I think,-I could make a successful commencement. I want you to let me know whether this can be done or not. This is the practical part of my wish to see you. These are subjects of very great importance-worthy of a month's study, instead of a speech delivered in an hour. I ask you, then, to consider seriously, not pertaining to yourselves merely, nor for your race and ours for the present time, but as one of the things, if successfully managed, for the good of mankind-not confined to the present generation, but as "From age to age descends the lay To millions yet to be, Till far its echoes roll away Into eternity." The above is merely given as the substance of the President's remarks. The chairman of the delegation briefly replied that they would hold a consultation, and in a short time give an answer. The President said: Take your full time-no hurry at all. The delegation then withdrew. TELEGRAM TO OFFICER AT CAMP CHASE, OHIO. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., OFFICER in charge of Confederate prisoners at Camp Chase, Ohio: It is believed that a Dr. J. J. Williams is a prisoner in your charge, and if so tell him his wife is here and allow him to telegraph to her. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO JAMES DIXON. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 15, 1862. HON. JAMES DIXON, Hartford, Conn.: Come here. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO OFFICER AT CAMP DOUGLAS. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, OFFICER having prisoners in charge at Camp Doug las, near Chicago, Ill.: Is there a prisoner Dr. Joseph J. Williams? and if so tell him his wife is here and allow him to telegraph her. A. LINCOLN. TO HIRAM BARNEY. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, HON. HIRAM BARNEY, New York: Mrs. L. has $1000 for the benefit of the hospitals and she will be obliged, and send the pay, if you will be so good as to select and send her $200 worth of good lemons and $100 worth of good oranges. A. LINCOLN. NOTE OF INTRODUCTION. The Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue will please see Mr. Talcott, one of the best men there is, and, if any difference, one they would like better than they do me. August 18 1862. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO S. B. MOODY. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, S. B. MOODY, Springfield, Ill.: Which do you prefer-commissary or quartermaster? If appointed it must be without conditions. A. LINCOLN. Operator please send above for President. JOHN HAY. |