Letter from Joseph H. Barrett (Cincinnati [Ohio]) to Joseph Medill, 1860-03-12

File — Box: 5A, Folder: C1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Eleanor Medill (Cissy) Patterson Papers consist chiefly of Medill, McCormick and Patterson family correspondence, Joseph Medill business and political letters, Chicago Tribune historical material, and a collection of letters of Joseph Medill and others to and from important people. The papers cover the years 1846-1910, approximately, with most of the material falling in the 1850-1899 period. The name of the collection reflects its provenance, not its contents. There is much information about Mrs. Patterson in letters written by her parents, grandparents, and others, but only a few childhood letters written by her.

Dates

1860-03-12

Creator

From the Collection: Patterson, Eleanor Medill, 1881-1948 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on use of the materials in the department for research; all patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations.

Extent

From the Collection: 17 Boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

Letterhead: Cincinnati Gazette (envelope)

Includes envelope

Text includes the following: "I fully agree with you that the nomination of Seward would be fatal to the party in the coming canvass, and hence that every honorable means should be used to defeat that result. ... There are still many people so innocently verdant as to believe the solemn assurances of Cameron and his men that they are not secretly pledged, and heartily resolved, in the last event, to go over bodily to Seward ... I also have the best possible second-hand evidence, that Cameron's friends roundly promise the reversion of their strength to Bates. Further than this, I know it to be one of their dodges to coquet, in like manner, with Chase. ... You ask about Ohio. We are (I take you behind the scenes) a little 'mixed.' Chase may have a united vote at the start. ... Here, as in Indiana, the Bates movement, spontaneously, has taken a pretty strong hold. ... Lincoln has very many friends in Ohio, and will certainly receive my own support, in preference to Seward. I confess, however, that I am not satisfied he would run better in any of the doubtful states except Illinois, than Chase. Is he not fully as radical on the slavery question, and has not Chase placed himself in as favorable an attitude as he, in regard to 'Pennsylvania interests'? The nomination, according to present appearances, would seem to be narrowed down to Chase, Seward, Lincoln, and Bates. ... We want to succeed, and are willing to take any good man who stands the best chance of winning."