Richard H. Clark[i] to Howell Cobb.
Albany, Ga, Feb. 16th, 1861.
My Dear Sir: I observe that the Montgomery Congress has taken charge of our difficulties with the administration at Washington and perhaps will pursue the policy of making demands of the Lincoln administration. It has for sometime been my suspicion—it is now my conviction, that Genl. Scott, under a pretence of alarm for the Federal Capital, has concentrated troops and munitions of war, to be ready for Lincoln’s use, on the very day of his inauguration. I think Mr. Buchanan has allowed Holt and Scott to exercise the powers they have, from a knowledge that their acts will conform with Lincoln’s policy. I think there is now and has been for some time a perfect understanding between Lincoln and the War department. Lincoln is reported as saying on his way to Washington, that he would coerce only to the extent of executing the laws and recovering the public property seized. If I am right the 4th, 5th, or 6th March may find a strong Army and Navy force at Charleston and Pensacola. In apprehension of this, there should be proper and extra preparations to meet the attacks, or rather we should take the initiative and anticipate by an attack of our own in due time, if satisfied coercion will be the policy executed with promptness. The only result of a new commission to Washington will be “to go through the motions,” and I think “the motions” should be gone through with, provided we lose no vantage ground thereby. If Mr. Buchanan cannot treat with us; more strongly, Mr. Lincoln will not. The prompt secession of Virginia, together with a peace policy adopted by Congress, are the only things which will prevent Lincoln, Scott and Co. from using force. We should be prepared for the worst. These thoughts have no doubt occurred to yourself and others, but they weigh so heavily on my own mind I have thought you would excuse me for bringing them to your special attention, as one of your constituents.
[i] One of the codiflers of the laws of Georgia, 1861, afterward judge of the city court of Atlanta.