[Non-Seq 872 to nc] Yeah I know, I read it. But I didn't see where Mitchell was proposing that Lincoln start with gradual voluntary emancipation and then hit 'em with the forced expulsions lik GOP suggested. Where is that part?
legislation in our opinion should relieve the Federal Government of much of the necessary trouble, and expense, and throw the labour into the hands of private companies, or chartered bodies of benevolent, energetic, and wealthy men
- December 13, 1861
[nc] The Government should keep the facade of clean hands and use other people's money. See the Mitchell's ingenious idea below.
As to the field of present occupation and concentration the estates of disloyal men eschet to the Government for the lifetime of the owners, those could be placed in the hands of those companies and worked by the freed men under their control -- whilst the return of the title to the family would compel the removal of the laborers -- this would be as desired.
- December 13, 1861As to the proper locality of the final home, that locality should be as remote from us as possible
- December 13, 1861
[nc] Mitchell advised the Government to seize the estates of the slave owners, and to hold said estates until the proper owner removed the slaves from the United States, preferably to a locale as remote as possible.
[nc] This conclusion to the plan could only be implemented after the war was over and the Government had seized the estates.
P. S. I had a conversation this afternoon with Genl J B Rodgers, of Ten, in regard to the doctrines of the letter of May 18th, and of this point, arming a few thousand negroes -- to be subsequently removed, he agrees with the whole, and agrees with the declaration we uniformly affirm to all our border friends that to hold the Country together in the future there must be a party in the South with emancipation proclivities and measures--
- July 1, 1862
[nc] Obviously, Lincoln was familiar with the doctrines of the letter of May 18th as they needed no explanation. Mitchell briefs a General and reports to Lincoln about it. And look at that, the General agreed to arming a few thousand negroes to be subsequently removed. Preferably removed to a locale as remote as possible.
Washington July 1st 1862Permit me to place a copy of the letter of the 18th May,2 before you; I will send up a few copies to Mr Nickolie's room, for future use should they be needed.
[Note 2 Mitchell's pamphlet on colonization, dated May 18, 1862, is in this collection.]
[nc] This documents Mitchell placing a copy of his letter of the 18th May before Lincoln, and also sending copies to Lincoln's secretary, for future use, or perhaps if a copy is worn out.
From James Mitchell to Abraham Lincoln,1 June 1864
[Note 1 Mitchell, an Indiana minister, was appointed the commissioner for emigration in August 1862.]
[nc] This documents Mitchell was appointed as Commissioner for Emigration in August 1862, after he sent his letter of May 18, 1862 to Lincoln. After having read the Mitchell letter, Lincoln approved of Mitchell's ideas so much that he then appointed Mitchell as the Commissioner of Emigration.
[nc] The appointment was not a moment too soon either, as Holy Reverend James Mitchell, on August 14, 1862 led a group of five Black men into the executive office where Lincoln told them they should emigrate and that they were selfish if they disagreed.