To William H. Seward
February 1, 1861
I say now, however, as I have all the while said, that on the territorial question -- that is, the
question of extending slavery under the national auspices, -- I am inflexible. I am for no
compromise which assists or permits the extension of the institution on soil owned by the nation.
And any trick by which the nation is to acquire territory, and then allow some local authority to
spread slavery over it, is as obnoxious as any other.
(IV, 183)
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