Birney, John

Description

Holograph, signed.Title devised by cataloger.John Birney, the supposed author of this copy of a letter to an unnamed member of Congress, writes this "in reference to the proposed amendment of the Constitution, enfranchising the coloured men." He then discusses post-war Reconstruction and his belief that no Southern state will be readmitted to the Union "unless they have fully complied with the terms laid down by the President & formally decided by the President & the two Houses." He proposes the constituional amendment to enfranchise African-American men "in the course of twenty five years", repeating his views that the political parties should "cordially cooperate as this is a great patriotic work", and suggesting a "general amnesty to the ex-rebels" to help gain support for the amendment. He also suggests expanding the Freedmen's Bureau to help aid the freedmen, stating that its officers "should be carefully selected on account of their patriotism & faithfulness & ability."

Record Contributed By

Boston Public Library

Record Harvested From

Digital Commonwealth