(Private.)
New York, Jan. 3, 1861.
My Dear Sir,–I have been so pressed with outside business during the last ten days (trying to save the Union) that I have been unable to write to you.
The first time we began to breathe freely was when Mr. Holt took Governor Floyd’s place in the War Department. The feeling here is strong and undivided in regard to sustaining the administration in its determination to stand by Major Anderson, to protect the public property, and to enforce the revenue laws. On these points the people of the Northern States are as one man; and I am satisfied the President will have with him the conservative men of all sections of the country.
I have been very busy corresponding with prominent men in and out of Congress. We must preserve the Union. Congress should do what is right, and the rest will be easy. Why cannot enabling acts be passed admitting Kansas and New Mexico, and like enabling acts dividing the residue of our territory by 36 ° 30′, and admitting two more States, at once, with no other restriction than that of ‘a republican form of government,’ which Congress under the Constitution is bound to guaranty? This will dispose of the whole territorial question; and all may support it without surrender of principle. What if New Mexico has a very small population ? This fact should weigh nothing against restoration of harmony and preservation of the Union.
Do not things look better? Let me hear from you.
Yours very truly,
John A. Dix.
Hon. Horatio King.