SELECTED LETTERS OF SALMON P. CHASE

From W. G. Brownlow .

KNOXVILLE, EAST TENNESSEE, June 20th, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR: Your kind letter was forwarded to me by my Secretary, and my Proclamation convening an extra-session appears in the Nashville papers of this morning. The call is for 4th of July. We shall have no trouble in passing the Amendments in the Senate, but I anticipate trouble in the House. I wish Fowler, Maynard & Stokes could be at Nashville. The party of the President, the "My Policy" men will do all they can to defeat us. In this Union end of the State, composed of 31 counties, we have nine newspapers, and seven of them are in the service of the President and the rebels. "Johnson Clubs" are being organized, and they have money as they need it. I know not where it comes from. The patronage of the Federal Government is bestowed upon rebels and copperheads alone, in this State.
The President had taken such a noble stand in 1861, and had been so badly treated by the Rebels, that I thought he would remain firm and true. But I have long since given him up. He has conceived the idea of a second term , and to receive it, he puts himself at the head of the rebels of the South, and the copperheads of the North, the latter, meaner men than the former.
I think we can pass the Amendments. We have a noble majority in both Houses, and no resolution can pass either House endorsing the President and his policy. Fortunately, myself and the Legislature are in office until October, 1867, more than a year longer.
I have kind recollections of your friendship when I needed aid. I was pleased when you were promoted to the high and responsible position of Chief Justice; and my deepest regrets are, because you are not in the office so poorly filled by A. Johnson. His treachery is ruining us in the South, and setting upon us, like wolves, the rebel forces of all the seceded States. If the rebels get the control of Tennessee, we union men will be forced to leave the State. For all this, A. Johnson is to blame, and no one else. His secret detectives are all over the South, under pay. But I must close. I write you frankly as I do all friends, and I write you facts, with this exception, that matters are even worse than I present them to you.
Very truly, &c, &c,
W. G. BROWNLOW,
Governor of Tennessee.

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