Junius Hillyer to Howell Cobb.
Washington [D. C.],
Saturday night, Feb. 9th, 1861.
Dear Sir: I recd, your letter tonight. I will resign on Monday and leave for home on Tuesday morning. I did not know of there being any feeling in Geo. on the subject, though my place here was becoming daily more and more unpleasant and I am more than willing to return home. I begin to have strong hope of a settlement of our difficulties that will be satisfactory to the South, particularly to the seceding states.
As to a compromise, it is impossible. Nothing that even Del. would submit to will be granted by the Republicans. But the chances are good that the Republican party will acquiesce in the secession movement. I am sure of it if we can prevent a collision till the 4th of Mar. My kindest regards to Tom and the rest. My life here this winter has been to me an unmitigated misery.
[P. S.] —If we adopt free trade with direct taxation, we are ruined. I would resign to-night and start home in the morning but there is some unfinished business at the office upon which I must by promise consult with Genl. Dix[i] on Monday.
[i] John A. Dix, of New York, then Secretary of the Treasury.
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
Junius Hillyer (April 23, 1807 – June 21, 1886) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician who served two terms in the United States Congress. After his congressional career, Hillyer was appointed by President James Buchanan as Solicitor of the United States Treasury, and served from 1857 until February 13, 1861 when, as a result of Georgia’s seccession from the Union, he resigned his post and returned to Georgia. This marked the end of Hillyer’s career in public service. For his remaining years he concentrated on the private law practice.
Howell Cobb was an American political figure. A southern Democrat, Cobb was a five-term member of the United States House of Representatives and Speaker of the House from 1849 to 1851. He also served as the 40th Governor of Georgia and as a Secretary of the Treasury under President James Buchanan. Cobb is, however, probably best known as one of the founders of the Confederacy, having served as the President of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States.