| Summary: | In the letter Philips gives his opinions about the cause and course of the Civil War. He feels that the North and South have so many common interests that peace can be maintained through an alliance or treaty between the two sections: "...while a separate government might free the Northern states from any apparent complicity with the existence of slavery--we might be as one against the rest of the world." At this early point in the war, he recognizes the dangers of prolonged fighting and feels that such a conflict may still be avoided: "That the North has the means of inflicting upon the South great disaster I do not doubt, but this will be at great sacrifice on their own part. Universal ruin is impending over both sections, and posterity for long years to come will pay the penalty of the days [sic] proceedings, if this war is to continue. A Fabian policy on the part of the South is the one I should adopt if entrusted with affairs--and if this should avert any serious collision until Congress meets in July, some means of escape from the greatest of all calamities (a civil war) may be suggested." The letter is not signed but handwritten notes indicate that the author is P. Philips; this might refer to Philip Phillips, a former resident of Mobile who represented the Alabama in the U.S. Congress from 1853 to 1855.
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