GDG- f Virginia strikes us, are we not to strike back,

[Dennis Lawrence]

Maryland's ex-senator (1845-1849) and recent delegate to the Peace 
Conference wrote on April 24 that he desired an answer to his letter of 
April 22 before he left Washington. A contemporary copy of the earlier 
letter made by Joseph Holt, in the Lincoln Papers, reads in part as 
follows: ``. . . . The existing excitement and alarm . . . of my own State 
and of Virginia are owing . . . to an apprehension that it is your purpose 
to use the military force you are assembling in this District for the 
invasion of . . . these States.

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lincoln's Reply:


Confidential.
Hon. Reverdy Johnson Executive Mansion, April 24th 1861.

My dear Sir: Your note of this morning is just received. I forebore to 
answer yours of the 22d because of my aversion (which I thought you 
understood,) to getting on paper, and furnishing new grounds for 
misunderstanding.

I do say the sole purpose of bringing troops here is to defend this capital.

I do say I have no purpose to invade Virginia, with them or any other 
troops, as I understand the word invasion. But suppose Virginia sends her 
troops, or admits others through her borders, to assail this capital, am I 
not to repel them, even to the crossing of the Potomac if I can?

Suppose Virginia erects, or permits to be erected, batteries on the 
opposite shore, to bombard the city, are we to stand still and see it done? 
In a word, if Virginia strikes us, are we not to strike back, and as 
effectively as we can?

Again, are we not to hold Fort Monroe (for instance) if we can? I have no 
objection to declare a thousand times that I have no purpose to invade 
Virginia or any other State, but I do not mean to let them invade us 
without striking back. Yours truly

A. LINCOLN
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
[1]   Copy, DLC-RTL.


                                                                                       But 
Charleston hangs fire, and I wait no longer.
                                                                   A. Lincoln