Washington, D. C, 20th Apl, 1860.
Dear Stephens, . . . The city is pretty well vacated. All the scheming active politicians have “hied away” to Charleston to select an almoner for the Great Democratic party. The uncertainty of the result is even greater now than at any former period of the contest. Hunter cannot be nominated; nobody will go for him at the North simply because he is an honest man and they want no such a person to guard the exchequer; they pretend that he cannot run at the North on account of his free-trade opinions, which simply amounts to saying that the northern democrats will not support any man who holds the principles of the party. Breckinridge it is said can get Penn. but N. York will not touch him, his character is too good for them. Guthrie I think will show more Northern strength than any of our Southern men. Douglas will be beaten, I think, with absolute certainty. He will get as good as no support in the North but of the Northwest, and his enemies are numerous, vindictive and remorseless. His aggressive policy makes all opponents enemies both North and South, and nothing but a large break in the South in his behalf can possibly elect him. This I do not look for, altho’ I am quite sure he is stronger in the South than he will be with her representatives at Charleston ; but I suppose speculations will be of no use now as the end is near. Julia and Sallie and the Capt. are all in good health and send their best regards.
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
Robert Augustus Toombs was an American lawyer, planter, and politician from Georgia who became one of the organizers of the Confederacy and served as its first Secretary of State. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives, the US house of Representatives, and the US Senate. In the Confederacy, he served in Jefferson Davis’ cabinet as well as in the Confederate States Army, but later became one of Davis’ critics.
Alexander Hamilton Stephens was an American politician who served as the vice president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865. After serving in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly, he won election to Congress, taking his seat in 1843. After the Civil War, he returned to Congress in 1873, serving to 1882 when he was elected as the 50th Governor of Georgia, serving there from late 1882 until his death in 1883.