Crawfordville [Ga.]; Sept. 30th, 1860.
Dear Smith. I have just got back from my up-country trip—am to go to Warren court tomorrow—health somewhat improved, would have been more so but for speechmaking that I could not get round. I spoke at Atlanta, Marietta, Floyd Spring and Dalton. There is quite a strong feeling springing up for the national cause in that section of the country. Linton has stirred them up greatly. He has spoken in Gwinnett, Newton, Hall, Gobb, Cass, Whitfield, Catoosa, Walker and Dade—and with great effect. I verily believe that if we had three months to go on we should carry a majority of the Democracy with us. The meeting yesterday at Dalton was large—two thousand perhaps—and enthusiastic. Where four weeks ago there were not ten Douglas men to be found, our friends assure me that Douglas and Johnson will get 3,500 votes in the 5th district. I can hardly think it is so, but such is their belief. The changes are daily and numerous. From all parts of the State I hear that our cause is gaining daily and rapidly. How far this opinion entertained by those who give it is well founded I cannot say. I give it as it is given to me. I saw some gentlemen from Tenn. yesterday who say that Bell will certainly carry that State. I saw one on the cars today from La. who says that Bell will carry that State too. I have all along counted La. for Breckinridge. Send your papers for the future here, and write to me here the present prospect. I shall be back next Saturday. I have no time to say more.
P. S.—I got a great many papers from you at Kingston and one letter.
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
Alexander Hamilton Stephens was an American politician who served as the vice president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865. After serving in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly, he won election to Congress, taking his seat in 1843. After the Civil War, he returned to Congress in 1873, serving to 1882 when he was elected as the 50th Governor of Georgia, serving there from late 1882 until his death in 1883.
J. Henley Smith was a Georgia journalist.