that somewhat intricate subject than I did or care any more about it. I gladly assented to his suggestion and we separated, I going to my room at the hotel. Within an hour Mr. Lincoln came to my room and we had a long, and what was to me a very interesting conversation. I cannot of course undertake to give his language or my own. I told him in substance that our Iowa people were very much excited over the condition of the country North and South-that they were devotedly attached to the Union of the States, and would never consent to its dissolution on any terms, that they were not to be frightened into abandoning their principles by bluster and bravado, and that he might depend upon them to sustain him to the utmost of their power in preserving the peace, if that could be fairly done, and in preserving the Union in any event and at whatever cost.

Mr. Lincoln listened with great attention and apparent interest and expressed great satisfaction at what I had said touching the intention of the people of Iowa to give their earnest support to his administration. He proceeded to say that he still had strong hope that a peaceful and safe solution might yet be had of our present troubles that it seemed to him incredible that any large portion of our people, even in the States threatening secession, could really desire a dissolution of the Union that had done them nothing but good that his own opinion that Congress had not the power to abolish slavery in the States where it existed was well known before his nomination that the convention by which he was nominated, with full knowledge of that opinion, had nominated him, and that with full knowledge of both these facts he had been constitutionally elected that he would not consent to or advise. his friends to consent to any bargain or so-called compromise that amounted to a purchase of the constitutional rights growing out of the late election, because the so doing would be an invitation to the defeated party or parties in future elections to pursue the course now being pursued with the hope of achieving like success by like means, thus reducing our Gov

ernment to the level of Mexico, which was then in a constant state of revolution that he would bear and forbear much to preserve peace and the integrity of the Union, but if the issue was clearly made between war and a dissolution of the Union, then, how ever much he might regret the necessity, he would use all the constitutional powers of the Government for its preservation, relying on God's justice and the patriotism of the people for success.

It is now about thirty years since I had this interview with Mr. Lincoln, and my life for several years after was a busy one I therefore do not claim to give his words only his ideas, nor do I claim that what was said consisted as herein stated of a continued opening statement by me and a continued reply by him on the contrary the interview was to some extent conversational, although much the greater part of what was said was said by him. He spoke calmly, earnestly and with great feeling. I listened with anxious interest and heard with profound satisfaction.

When he left I went with him to the door of the hotel, and when I returned to the office I found myself an object of considerable attention. It was known that Mr. Lincoln was up stairs with somebody, and when it appeared that I was that body, a good many people about the hotel seemed anxious to learn who I was, and where I had come from.

I left for home with a strong conviction, which never left me, that he was the right man in the right place, and the longer he lived the stronger that conviction grew.

S. J. KIRKWOOD.

Iowa City, January 14, 1891.

LETTERS OF A WAR GOVERNOR.

[CONTINUED FROM PAGE 566, VOL. VI.]

E continue the executive correspondence during Gov. Kirkwood's war administration, beginning with his congratulatory letter to Lincoln on his election to the Presidency, breathing a prophecy of success which has been more than fulfilled. These letters here published, acknowledging the tender of services by volunteer companies of the State, show that Capt. F. J. Herron and his company, of Dubuque, have the honor of first formally offering their services to the President through Gov. Kirkwood.

Hon. Abraham Lincoln,

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, Nov. 15, 1860.

President of the United States.

Dear Sir:-Permit me to congratulate you, and I most heartily do, upon the result of the recent Presidential election, and to express the earnest hope, that your administration may prove as useful to our country and as honorable to yourself, as you yourself can desire. Very respectfully,

Hon. James W. Grimes.

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD. DES MOINES, Iowa, January 12, 1861.

Dear Sir:-It really appears to me as if our Southern friends are determined on the destruction of our Government unless they can change its whole basis, and make it a Government for the growth and spread of slavery. The real point of controversy is in regard to slavery in the Territories. On that point I would be willing to go thus far: Restore the question of slavery in our present territories to the position to which it was placed by the compromise measures of 1850 and before passing the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and admit Kansas as a free State at once. The whole country agreed to do this once, and therefore could do so again. As to future acquisitions of territory do either one of two things: 1st, Prohibit future acquisitions except by the vote of two-thirds of each branch of Congress; or, 2d, make the condition of the Territory at the time of its acquisition its permanent condition until admitted as a State.

I think neither of these requires an abandonment of principle or involves disgrace to either party, north or south.

But at all hazards the Union must be honored-the laws must be enforced. What can I do in the premises? Shall I tender the aid of the State to Mr. Buchanan? Some of our people desire an extra session. I do not. My present intention is not to call an extra session until after the 4th of March. If after that time an extra session be necessary to support the Government I

will so far as in me lies see to it that the last fighting man in the State and the last dollar in the treasury are devoted to that object, and our people will sustain me. If such aid is required by Mr. Buchanan, it is at his service. Please consult our delegation, and write me fully such course as you think best to be pursued. SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD. P. S.-Can anything be done in the way of procuring arms for this State beyond the regular quota for the current year? Cannot an arsenal be established and supplied in some northwestern free State?

Very truly,

S. J. K. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, January 22, 1861.

His Excellency, the Governor of the State of Maryland

Sir:-Permit me to tender you my hearty thanks, and those of the people of Iowa, for the patriotic and manly stand you have taken against division and

treason.

I am a native of the State of Maryland and I feel a great and I trust an honest pride in knowing that the good old State stands firinly to the Constitution and the Union in these trying days, when so many are disposed to abandon both. This, I am satisfied, is in a great measure due to the bold stand you have taken, and when passion shall have subsided and reason and love of country shall have again assumed the ascendant, your name will stand high on the rol of those whom the people delight to honor. With sentiments of high regard I remain, Your obedient servant, SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, January 22, 1861.

Capt. F. J. Herron, Dubuque, Iowa.

Dear Sir:-I have just mailed to Secretary Holt at Washington City the tender of the services of your company to the President. You and your command have afforded me a great pleasure, for which I heartily thank you and them.

I am pleased and proud to know that the citizens of Iowa do not recognize the heresy that treason can not be punished, rebellion put down, and the Union preserved, by force if nothing but force will avail for those ends.

Yery truly,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, January 24, 1861.

Messrs. S. W. Wise, Geo. A. Stone, P. Jericho,

Commanding Mt. Pleasant Guards.

Gentlemen:-I was much gratified on yesterday by the receipt of your letter tendering the services of your company to assist in enforcing the laws of our country and putting down treason and rebellion.

Accept for yourselves and your company my hearty thanks, and my assurance that, should the occasion demand it, your services will be accepted and required.

I am glad and proud to know that the people of Iowa do not so impeach the patriotism and wisdom of our fathers, as to believe that they established a Government which, although strong enough to resist successfully an entire world in arms, was either designedly or ignorantly left so weak as to be at the mercy of rebels and traitors at home. Very respectfully,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, January 26, 1861.

Hon. Joseph Holt, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-I have the honor to enclose a letter tendering to the President the services of the Governor's Greys, a military company at Dubuque, in this State. The services of other military companies have been tendered directly

to me.

While I deeply regret that the perils to which the Union of the States is exposed arise from domestic and not from foreign foes, I feel a great and I think an honest pride in the knowledge that the people of Iowa are possessed of an unyielding devotion to the Union and of a fixed determination that in so far as it depends on them it shall be preserved. Very respectfully,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, January 26, 1861.

F. S. Mathies, Captain Burlington Rifle Company, Burlington, Iowa. Dear Sir:-Accept for yourself and the company which you command my thanks for the tender of their services "in case of any public event involving the necessity of arms." Should such event occur, I shall accept the services so gallantly tendered.

I am pleased to know that you and your command believe that the flag of our country is worthy of protection, that the Union of the States is worthy of preservation, and that the men who first upheld the one and established the other did not intend to leave both at the mercy of rebels and traitors. I hope to be in your city about the 1st day of February and will endeavor to see you, and consult with you in reference to arms. Very respectfully,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

THE TERRITORIAL SEAL OF IOWA.

EDITOR HISTORICAL RECORD:

B

URING a late visit to the rooms of the Historical

Society, Mr. Lathrop, Librarian, showed me the "Great Seal of the Territory of Iowa." I well remember that when it arrived from the hands of Mr. Wagoner, of Pittsburg, the engraver, Secretary Conway brought it to the Governor's office to show it, and how pleased we all were at the appropriateness of the design and the poetical description the Secretary had written of it, and which a few days later he communicated to the Legislature.

I have thought you would like for publication and preservation in the RECORD an account of the history of the seal. I have therefore transcribed from the Journals of the Council of