1861 Sept[ember] 17 Lynchburg [Virginia]

My Dear Sir [Nathaniel Francis Cabell]

At the instance of many
friends, I have announced myself
a candidate for congress from our
District--Removed from party conflict
in the past, I have endeavoured since
the secession of the State to unite our
people by discountenancing every
thing that tends to revive or perpetuate
our old differences--Many gentlemen
of both parties have assured me that
this course & position would enable
them to harmonize in my support--
I should be very much gratified
if this meets your favourable
judgement. I propose to address
the people of Nelson on Friday week (Sep
c[our]t day) & hope to meet you there
very truly--James P. Holcombe

James P. Holcombe, 1820-1873, was a professor of law at the University of Virginia. Although his parents were ardent abolitionists who freed their slaves and moved from Lynchburg to Indiana to escape the institution, Holcombe believed in the institution and in 1858 published an address on the slavery's consistency with natural law. His bid for the Confederate Congress was successful.
MSS 38-111