From Ulysses Doubleday to John G. Nicolay1
Bank of North America
New York Nov 18. 1860
Dear Sir.
Since I last wrote, enclosing letters from my brother, I have received many others from him, which, coupled with other information in my possession, left no doubt in my mind of the complicity of the President with the designs of the secessionists. I took my proofs, when the election was over, to the editor of the Evening Post, in which a series of articles has been commenced, exposing Mr. Buchanan’s treason, with the hope that the publicity thus given to it, may force him to do at least part of his duty. These articles have been brought to Mr. B’s personal notice, and both he and Secretary Floyd2 have denied their truth. As they are true, this looks as if they were becoming frightened, and the superseding of Col. Gardner, ³ an avowed secessionist, by Maj. Anderson4 a loyal Kentuckian, seems still further to confirm this idea. My brother writes that a settled determination to have the forts, as a necessity of their positions, is evinced by the South Carolinians, who begin to ask why the President does not keep his promise to withdraw the troops. I think he is afraid, and, by directing public attention to these disclosures, hope to force him to send more troops. This would greatly simplify Mr Lincoln’s position after the 4th of March. The present aspect of financial affairs here, though gloomy, is not nearly so bad as in 1857. The simple fact that our exports largely exceed our imports is a proof that in a very short time gold must flow this way from Europe in large amounts. I look to a decided and permanent improvement in less than thirty days. I do not expect any answer to this letter.
Respy Yours
U. Doubleday
Note 1 – Ulysses Doubleday was the brother of Abner Doubleday, a captain in the U. S. Army who was stationed at Charleston Harbor. Ulysses Doubleday sent copies of his brother’s letters to Lincoln.
Note 2 – John B. Floyd
Note 3 – Lieutenant Colonel John L. Gardner commanded the U. S. forces at Charleston Harbor until he was replaced by Major Robert Anderson in November 1860.
Note 4 –Robert Anderson