Description:

Herschel V. Johnson
Washington, D.C., January 4, 1864
Herschel V. Johnson to Jeff Davis: "Would it not be wise to have a secret agent in Canada…"
ALS
Important autograph letter signed of Herschel V. Johnson, four pages, 5" x 8", "Senate Chamber," January 4, 1864, to President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis. Expertly tipped to another sheet and in fine condition.

Johnson writes, in most part: "…The Cincinnati Enquirer has published a tabular statement of the vote polled in the late elections of the U.S. It shows that 1,500,000 were cast against the ruling administration in Washington. Is this not evidence of a very strong hostility? It is true, I have no doubt, that they profess to be for the war and a restoration of the union. But I am well satisfied, that if Lincoln could be defeated…in the next Presidential election, it would end the war and lead to peace. These elections show strong opposition to Lincoln, especially in the Northern Western States. On these facts I predicate a single suggestion. It is this: Would it not be wise to have a secret agent in Canada, who by seeking interviews, with the right men of the North & N. West (perhaps it might be better to confine it to the North West) might aid in stimulating & organizing more efficiently that opposition, and securing influence that would result in the withdrawal of the N. Western States from the Union? Might not a discreet and prudent agent, bring to the support of such a policy a portion of the press of those States? Might not the experience be made without compromitting the Confederate States? There is in the U.S. a powerful conservative element. At least they call it conservatism & it is conservateism [sic], compared to the rabid and barbarous policy of the Federal administration. Might not an adroit agent do much to encourage that element? The sword will scarcely end this war. Looking to the relative strength of the two powers and the objects sought to be accomplished on either side, it is hardly to be expected that either can conquer a peace. The pen & the sword will not bring peace at last…I have thought much on this subject & I believe the experiment to be worth being made & $1,500,000 thus expended, would be well spent…". He adds in a postscript: "If such an agency shd be determined upon, it shd be known only to the Prest. & the agent. H.V.S."

Herschel Johnson was Stephen Douglas' running mate against Abraham Lincoln in the election of 1860. Although Johnson initially opposed the idea of secession, when it became a fact he reluctantly joined the Confederate cause. His contradictions represented the conflict many Georgians felt about disunion; however once committing to the Confederate side, Johnson went on to serve as a member of the Confederate Senate, from 1862 to 1865, and then as President of the 1865 Georgia Constitutional Convention.

In 1864, Johnson initiated what became to be known as the "peace movement" (sometimes called the peace conspiracy), a political response to the frustration of a state in response to a war that was not being won. It was grounded in a commitment to state sovereignty and states rights - the exact bases of secessionism itself.

It is not known whether Johnson's espionage scheme was ever enacted. However, in a letter to Alexander Stephens, dated September 23, 1864 to William W. Boyce, a former Senator for South Carolina, Johnson continues the cry for the peace espoused in our letter: "…I long for peace as ardently as 'the hart pants for the cooling water brook.' I agree with you, that 'this unnatural strife cannot be terminated by arms.' The pen, not the sword, must, at last, solve our difficulties…".

However, Johnson still goes on to inveigh against the people of the North, who have: "…fallen into two grave and capital errors. On the one hand, they attach an undue importance to the mere fact on form of Union, ignoring the principles and objects of the Union, and forgetting that it ceases to be valuable when it fails to secure that object and maintain those principles. On the other hand, they think, that the States of the Confederacy have separated from the United States, in contempt of that Union, in a wanton disposition to insult its flag and to destroy the Government of which it is the emblem. Both opinions are wrong…".

He concludes: "…The North can have peace at any moment. All that they need to do is to let us alone -- cease to fight us; or if they prefer, agree to negotiate a peace on terms honorable to both parties." It is unclear whether Johnson's suggestion that the North let the South alone meant the interference of outside bodies…or the employment of espionage to see to it.

Johnson had much more to say about proposed peace, and one only needs to look at his correspondence with Stephens for more insight.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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