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An unrecorded circular from the early days of the Civil War, likely written by a Southern Unionist or concerned individual from the border states. The document takes the form of ten numbered points, stating that the People of the United States convened and ratified the Constitution and citing constitutional support for the illegality of secession. The anonymous author concludes in his seventh point that: "In contravention of all these Delegated Powers of National Sovereignty, and in total disregard of the explicit negations of the same to the States, the States of South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia, have, by entering into an 'Agreement of Compact' with each other, in violation of an express inhibition of the Constitution, and in flagrant rebellion against the Government of the United States…taken up at first under the promptings of a depraved ambition of a few deluded Individuals who, by perseverance, deception, and fraud, brought together a self-created Convention to pass a 'Secession Ordinance,' which only means Treason against the Government, the Constitution, and the Laws against the Peace, the Tranquility, and the Integrity of the Union." The final points argue nonetheless that "it is desirable that the Union shall be preserved with as little impairment and as whole in all its parts as possible, especially in life, limb, and blood of its people to the end that kindly feelings may be speedily re-established throughout the entire length and breadth of this once happy Land!" Therefore, he suggests that President Lincoln provide amnesty to all people of the South "conditioned that they will afford evidence by their conduct hereafter, of having abjured any commitment they may have made…against the paramount duty of allegiance they owe to the United States." Exceedingly rare we locate no copy on OCLC, in major libraries' individual catalogues, or in any of the expected reference sources. Bifolium with Sagamore blindstamp to upper left corner. Old folds, light discoloration to upper left corner. Very good plus.
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