Letter, Governor William M. Fishback
Object number1998.045.01
DateJanuary 28, 1864
OriginLittle Rick, Arkansas
Mediumpaper and ink
DimensionsOverall: 7 7/8 x 12 1/4 in. (20 x 31.1 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum collection
Terms
"Little Rock, January 28, 1864. To Hon. Jesse Turner.
Dear Sir, I have just a moment while the delegates are crossing the river and avail myself of it to exchange civilities and congratulations. I am glad to learn that you have come out so decidely in favor of an unconditional restoration. Sol Clark has turned "Copperhead" as they are called north. He was in favor of leaving "New England out in the cold". I wrote him a rather severe reply. Charged hime with a lack of loyalty. He seems to be loyal not from principle but from hatred for Davis. He now hates Lincoln because the incidents of the war have not turned out to be child's play. Please write me your views in full. I wish I had time to write more at length. Your friend W.M. Fishback".
Written in brown ink on white paper with blue lines. A stain is across the left half of the paper.
William Fishback was born Nov. 5, 1831 in Culpepper County, Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia and studied law. After college, he moved to Springfield, Illinois where he was admitted to the bar and set up practice. During his years of practicing law in Springfield, he came into contact with Abraham Lincoln, whose own law firm sent Fishback his first client. In 1858, Fishback moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas and set up practice there. Fishback was a Unionist. When the Civil War broke out, he voted first against Arkansas' secession from the Union and then changed his vote in the second vote. He felt that secession would stave off rather than cause war. When it became clear war was inevitable, he went to Missouri and took an oath of allegiance to the U.S. During the first years of the war, he served as editor for the St. Louis Democrat. When Little Rock fell to Union forces, Fishback returned to Little Rock and started a newspaper, The Unconditional Union. After the war, He was instrumental in writing the union Constitution in 1864 which became known as the "Fishback Constitution". He became governor in 1893. He died in 1903 and is buried in Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Jesse Turner was a legislator from Van Buren.
Status
Not on view
