--Confidential--

                Boston 31 Decr. 1860

My dear General,
           I received a few days Since
your favor of the 12th, with
two copies of the pamphlet
containing your address to the
People of Florida. I have
read it with profound attention
& deep Sympathy. Would to
Heaven, that Your wise &
prudent counsels might have
their just influence with your
fellow Citizens!
                                         I
Genl. R.K.Call

I feel under great obliga-
tions to you for the confidence
in me, manifested by you, in
placing my name with those
of the distinguished persons
whom you recommend as
umpires & mediators in the
present distracted State of
the county. In peaceful times
or war in times of danger of
an ordinary kind, there is safety
"in a multitude of counsellors," but
the present Sharp & dangerous
crisis ____ [?] the patriotic en-
ergy of one.--The old Con-

gress in the Revolution, at a
moment of extreme peril, clothed
General Washington with dicta-
torial powers. -- If Congress now,
by joint Resolution, would clothe
General Scott with Dictatorial
Powers for six months, it would
afford the best hope for a peace-
ful solution to the dread problem
now presented to the People of the
U.S. -- There is no constitutional
power to pass such a resolution,
but, in the present paralysis of
the executive & Congress, it might
by general acquiescence be assumed
There was in the opinion of

    Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison
no constitutional power to ac-
quire Louisiana, but it was ac-
quiesced in & the precedent estab-
lished.--
    This Suggestion however, you
will please regard as confi-
dential.
    I remain, Dear Sir, with
much respect, very truly Yours,
               Edward Everett