January 19, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
Suggestions have been made at Washington looking to the introduction of a proposition into Congress to buy out all the slaves in Maryland, Delaware, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana, in order to settle the slavery and secession question in the country north of the Potomac and west of the Mississippi River, in a peaceful manner. It is thought $100,000,000 would complete the work and carry this compromise in favor of freedom through Congress and be a wiser expenditure than the same sum appropriated to put down secession in those quarters by military means. This proposition is more favorably regarded than the suggested compromises looking to the future impossible abrogation of slavery anywhere.