Unsigned Autograph Letter, 4 pages, octavo, n.p., n.d., reading, in small part: "My Dear General...The recent laws of Congress place into the hands of the President powers which belong rather to a despot than to a Republic...In the event of a Proclamation, I see only an act of military expediency justifiable by the hope that it will hasten the end of the war...The main benefit I look for is the withdrawl of slaveowners from the Southern army to look after their slaves & the general effect on the latter who would hardly take arms against those who had offered their freedom.... The letter has several manuscript edits and is accompanied by a likely unrelated Union postal cover with a Nashville, TN circular date stamp.

Included is a complete transcription of the letter.

Very good condition.