to have slavery south of that line established or not, as the people may direct But in practice there will be slavery authorised by the people, if only one voter in twenty be a slave holder. The slave holders will of course vote for it, so will their relations and most of their friends, also all

it was ordered as a literary lecture; but I believe it had but little pretension to the character; but was promiscuous talk mostly of local antislavery matters—I remember your father, and rejoice to hear from his son— [Yours] Thaddeus Stevens O. Johnston [on reverse in another hand] Thaddeus Stevens

MG0115_F002_In04_It01 Lancaster Septr. 22, 1855 Dear Sir In answer to your letter of yesterday I have to say that I know Peter Martin to be a fine Antislavery man, and as much opposed to the Kansas outrage; and as much in favor of the restoration of the Missouri Compromise as any man in the Union

MG0115_F002_In04_It02 [This item consists of a letter in Stevens’s and a copy in another hand.] [in Stevens’s hand] Octr. 24, 1857 Dear Sir As your case was not likely to be reached, being the 26. on the list we have continued it by consent until the Nov. Court— [Yours] Thaddeus Stevens Judge

MG0115_F002_In04_It03 Washington Dec. 11. 1859 Dear Sir I do not think that any move should be made untill Depts are fully prepared with the Means— It will then be in time for the movement to discontinue The organization of the house is not yet in sight [Yours] Thaddeus Stevens Thos. E. Franklin L