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Simon Cameron Papers

Simon Cameron Papers
Library of Congress

[Box 47, Folders 1857-1860]

Simon Cameron began his political career as a Democrat and ended it a Republican. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1845, Cameron voted along Democratic party lines until the Kansas crisis in 1854. He switched to the "people's party" which became the Republican Party and ran for reelection in 1857.

To many of his political critics, Cameron seemed flimsy in the great crises of secession and war. He conspicuously worked for reconciliation and peace in the winter of 1860-61, leading some to question his loyalty to the Republican Party and even the Union.

At the 1860 Republican convention Cameron had a following for presidency and vice-presidency, but the Pennsylvania delegation could not unite behind him. Eventually, Lincoln called Cameron to the cabinet as Secretary of War, after withdrawing his offer for Cameron to head the Treasury Department.

These letters are from Chambersburg and Franklin County residents to Simon Cameron. They discuss everything from simple patronage issues to the great secession crisis. Many of the letters deal with local political struggles, especially the activities of Cameron's nemesis Col. Alexander K. McClure.

  1. W. Reilly to Simon Cameron, October 2, 1854. Summary: Politics in Franklin County.
  2. P. H. Shough to Simon Cameron, August 29, 1856 Summary: Politics in Franklin County.
  3. A. N. Rankin to Simon Cameron, September 16, 1856. Summary: Rankin runs for State Senate and writes Cameron on party poitics.
  4. P. Hammon to Simon Cameron, November 18, 1856. Summary: Laments the election loss.
  5. Geo. Chambers to Simon Cameron, December 6, 1856. Summary: Chambers inquires about the political future for the Franklin Railroad.
  6. Wm. Seibert to Simon Cameron, May 14, 1858.Summary: Seibert offers a land deal to Cameron.
  7. George Chambers to Simon Cameron, June 29, 1859.Summary: Chambers sends Cameron a manuscript and comments on the Dred Scot opinion
  8. William Leiburg to Simon Cameron, August 10, 1858.Summary: Leiburg writes confidentially to support Cameron for President and comment on local Franklin Co. politics.
  9. Edward M. McPherson to Simon Cameron, August 26, [1858].Summary: McPherson begins his Congressional campaign.
  10. Edward M. McPherson to Simon Cameron, October 15, 1858.Summary: McPherson comments on the recent defeat for his party in Pennsylvania.
  11. Alexander K. McClure to Simon Cameron, October 29, 1858.Summary: McClure declares his candidacy for the Speakership of the House (Pa.) and confronts Cameron for opposing him.
  12. Alexander K. McClure to Simon Cameron, November 1, 1858.Summary: McClure accepts Cameron's explanation of the rumor of his opposition to McClure and seeks common ground on the big issues of the day.
  13. Edward M. McPherson to Simon Cameron, December 14, 1858.Summary: McPherson comments on President Buchanan's record and on his own business.
  14. Frank T. Reamen to Simon Cameron, February 7, 1859.Summary: Reamen writes to ask Cameron's financial aid to attend seminary.
  15. I. H. McCauley to Simon Cameron, July 20, 1859.Summary: McCauley writes Cameron confidentially to ask him to help defeat A. K. McClure's bid for the the State Senate nomination.
  16. D. O. Gehr to Simon Cameron, July 20, 1859.
  17. W. A. Boges, M.D. to Simon Cameron, July 21, 1859.Summary: Boges asks Cameron to help snuff out A. K. McClure's candidacy for the state Senate--real "back room" party politics.
  18. D. O. Gehr to Simon Cameron, August 19, 1859.Summary: Informs Cameron of his campaign to prevent McClure's political success.
  19. D. O. Gehr to Simon Cameron, August 29, 1859.Summary: Politics of McClure's libel suit against the Valley Spirit.
  20. Simon Cameron to "Sir," October 11, 1859.Summary: Cameron writes to outline his views on campaign money and his race for the presidency.
  21. Lafayette Wood to Simon Cameron, December 31, 1859.Summary: Requests to use Cameron's name for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
  22. John A. Hyssong to Simon Cameron, February 27, 1860.Summary: Editor of a Mercersburg newspaper asks for money to run columns supporting Cameron.
  23. Andrew G. Curtin to Simon Cameron, March 11, 1860.Summary: More patronage.
  24. Andrew G. Curtin to Simon Cameron, March 19, 1860.Summary: More patronage notes.
  25. Andrew G. Curtin to Simon Cameron, March 20, 1860.Summary: Patronage difficulties.
  26. Alexander K. McClure to Simon Cameron, April 15, 1860.Summary: McClure gives Cameron the lay of the political landscape on the formation of the Republican party committee.
  27. Alexander K. McClure to Simon Cameron, June 28, 1860.Summary: McClure offers his support in the political infighting among Pa. Republicans
  28. Simon Cameron to Alexander K. McClure, July 1, 1860.Summary: Cameron tries to explain his campaign contributions.
  29. Alexander K. McClure to Simon Cameron, July 2, 1860.Summary: McClure supports Cameron against politcal defamation from opponents.
  30. Simon Cameron to Abraham Lincoln, August 1, 1860.Summary: Cameron congratulates Lincoln on his nomination and assures him of delivering Pennsylvania.
  31. Andrew G. Curtin to Simon Cameron, August[?] 11, 1860.Summary: Curtin seeks patronage for friend.
  32. D. O. Gehr to Simon Cameron, September 26, 1860.Summary: Gehr asks Cameron to check on the state party committee's distribution of money to A. K. McClure's political efforts.
  33. D. O. Gehr to Simon Cameron, November 10, 1860.Summary: Asks for clerkship for son.
  34. Wm. Seibert to Simon Cameron, November 12, 1860.Summary: Asks for patronage appointment in Post Office.
  35. J. R. Brenden to Simon Cameron, November 12, 1860.Summary: Supports Dr. Robert K. Santis for Marshall.
  36. Jno. Berryhill to Simon Cameron, November 12, 1860.Summary: Another letter of support for Gehr's son.
  37. F. S. Stumbaugh to Simon Cameron, January 5, 1861.Summary: Comments on the withdrawal of Cameron's appointment by Lincoln and on McClure's trip to speak with Lincoln.
  38. I. H. McCauley to Simon Cameron, January 5, 1861.Summary: Congratulations to Cameron on his appointment to the cabinet and biting commentary on A. K. McClure.
  39. D. O. Gehr to Simon Cameron, January 5, 1861.Summary: Gehr wants to write Lincoln about A. K. McClure. Gehr considers him a lying scoundrel and offers to back Cameron for the Lincoln cabinet.
  40. Jno. Berryhill to Simon Cameron, January 11, 1861.Summary: Commentary on the secession crisis.
  41. F. S. Stumbaugh to Simon Cameron, January 18, 1861.Summary: The tarrif, raising of troops in Franklin, the Chambers Artillery, and the colonization of black Southerners to Africa are all topics in this secession crisis letter.
  42. Samuel Moon to Abraham Lincoln, February 19, 1861.Summary: Advances Cameron for nomination as Secretary of the Treasury.
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