Letter to President James Buchanan

Authors

Charles Pettit McIlvaine

Files

Content Warning

The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.

Description

Formal request that the President declare a national day for fasting and prayer.

ISBN

KMcI 601207

Date

12-7-1860

Keywords

letter, McIlvaine, Buchanan, president

Transcript

Cincinnati, Dec. 7. 1860

To His Excellency

The President of the United States-

The undenyed, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Ohio, deeply [?] [preferred] with the danger of the present crisis in our national affairs. & our imminent need of divine protection, guidance & [?], [would] very respectfully suggest that it would be a most reasonable act on the part of our Chief Magistrate & we would c[?] people of all denominations in the land, would welcome, of you would accustomed more day, not for d[?]. & the observed as a day of general fasting [humiliation] & prayer, that God, in his infinite mercy, may [interpret] his wisdom & power for the deliverance of the country, & the preservation [?] [?] of the blessings we have so largely & unearthly enjoyed.

[Meeting] you will [pardon] the which I have taken, & praying that your last days of office may not be afflicted with the sight of men Union deployed. I [?].

Very respectfully

Your friend

Charl. P. McIlvaine-

Recommended Citation

McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to President James Buchanan" (1860). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 73.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/73