Our friends are all tranquil, except so far as disturbed by Seward’s speech. If his propositions were pressed, I think they would split the party. I regret very much that he made them, and I protested most earnestly against them. He read me his speech four days in advance of its delivery. I pleaded with him, for the sake of the cause, the country, and his own good name, to abandon all his propositions, and simply to declare that Mr. Lincoln would be inaugurated on the 4th of March President of the United States, and rally the country to his support. I do not think we should allow this opportunity to pass without trying the question, whether a single State can break up the Union. What is it worth, if held by any such tenure? I have no concession or compromise of any kind to propose or favor; least of all can I become party to any proposition which sanctions Slavery directly or indirectly. I deplore everything of this kind, however plausible, as demoralizing to the country. Pray keep Massachusetts sound and _firm_--FIRM--FIRM--against every word or step of concession. God bless you! Ever and ever yours, CHARLES SUMNER. * * * * * SENATE CHAMBER, January 18, 1861. MY DEAR ANDREW,--I think that our friends are coming to the conclusion, that we can offer no terms of concession or compromise, in order to please the Border States. The question must be met on the Constitution _as it is_ and the facts _as they are_, or we shall hereafter hold our Government subject to this asserted right of secession. Should we yield now,--and any offer is concession,--every Presidential election will be conducted with menace of secession by the defeated party. There is a disposition to _stand firm_ together.… Ever yours, CHARLES SUMNER. * * * * * SENATE CHAMBER, January 21, 1861. MY DEAR ANDREW,--Pray keep our beloved Commonwealth firm; yet a little longer and the crisis will be passed. Save her from surrender. Nothing she can do will stay secession. IMPOSSIBLE. Let her not write a shameful page in the history of Human Freedom. I feel strongly for her fame, her good name, her character, her example. In the future let it be said that Massachusetts did not waver in the cause for which she has done so much. How easy it would be for me to give my life rather than have her take a single backward step! God bless you! Ever yours, CHARLES SUMNER. There is tranquillity now with regard to the capital. General Scott feels safe, and others feel safe under his wing. Virginia, it is said, will surely go. * * * * * SENATE CHAMBER, January 23, 1861.