What assurances can I have from you and your people of _material aid_ in the way of money, men and arms, if I can succeed in arousing my people to resistance to this damnable treason in the South? This is very important. We have a formidable Union element in East Tennessee, which can be judiciously managed, if we can obtain the aid alluded to. Harris, Governor of the State, will not let us have arms nor money: therefore we _must appeal_ to you. Let me hear from you forthwith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON. To the above, this answer was sent: BOSTON, May 18, 1861. DEAR SIR: If your note to me were printed in our newspapers, it would be good for ten thousand dollars in three days’ time. But of course I must only use it as a private letter. In order that you may be sure of something at once, I write below this a draft, which some of your Union bankers or merchants may be willing to cash at the usual premium for East exchange. Probably Gardner & Co., Evans & Co., Douglass & Co., of Nashville, will know it. The Government will soon exhibit a power which will astonish even you. The Nullifiers have been playing into Scott’s hand for three weeks, and now they have lost the game. Yours with regard, AMOS A. LAWRENCE. If you cannot use the draft, return it and tell me what to send. The draft was as follows: BOSTON, May 18, 1861. At sight, without grace, pay to Andrew Johnson or order. One Thousand Dollars, for value received, and charge to my account. AMOS A. LAWRENCE. To MASON, LAWRENCE & CO., Boston. The acceptance of Mason, Lawrence & Co., was on the face of the draft. Mr. Lawrence received the following in reply: KNOXVILLE, TENN., June 6, 1861. _Amos A. Lawrence, Esq., near Boston, Mass._: MY DEAR SIR: I have received your two letters to-day. Thank you most sincerely for your proffered aid. We need it,--need it badly. As yet I have not been able to use your draft; I am afraid to do so. Send me, if you can, $5,000 or $10,000 in New England currency, in large bills, by mail, _via_ Cincinnati. Be sure to do it promptly. Don’t delay. I can now purchase a lot of arms if I had the means. How do you propose to introduce aid or arms into East Tennessee? By what route and by what method? Answer soon. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON. To this communication no response was made. Mr. Lawrence, by some means or other, had his eyes opened to the game which the conspirators were attempting, and gave them no further attention.