Gideon Welles (1 July 1802 – 11 February 1878) was the United States Secretary of the Navy during the American Civil War.

Quotes

• Mr. Bates was for compulsory deportation. 'The Negro would not', he said, 'go voluntary'. He had great local attachment but no enterprise or persistency. The President objected unequivocally to compulsion. The emigration must be voluntary and without expense to themselves. Great Britain, Denmark and perhaps other powers would take them. I remarked there was no necessity for a treaty which had been suggested. Any person who desired to leave the country could do so now, whether white or black, and it was best to have it so-a voluntary system; the emigrant who chose to leave our shores could and would go where there were the best inducements.
  • As quoted in Diary of Gideon Wells (1861–1864), Volume I, p. 152.

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