The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-19
APPENDIX-LAA

RICHMOND, February 10 lsi2
SiR In compliance with your request conyeyel
through Mr.. Mayo that would see Mai EdmunJ
Christian, and ascertain from him what was his recn
lection OF the conversation alluded 10 by Mr. Harr
son, having occurred in his presence on board
steamboat between Mr. Bolts and yourself be,'
seen Major Christian, and requested him to give me
statement, in writing, of what he recollected about t
matter lie told me that he had recollection what
ever of sucha conversation, but declined giving ory
written statement.
am, sir, very respectfully,
WIN. b. ARCHER .
Hon. A. p UPsHuR.
Mr. Christian afterwards gave certificate IN the
following words
RICHMOND, February ~, 1912
DEAR Sir ! have received yours Of the sth instant
in which you state that Mr. Philip arrson ia a Ger
ticate which he has given to Mr. Bots refer. IL +,
conversation in a steamboat on James river, in 49,
or 1888, between Mr. Bolts, Judge Bafb6nr and
yourself, relative to a dissolution of the Onion II
which was present and you desire me to say
whether recolect such conversation or not ana
# do, to state what transpred on that occasion
In answer, have to state that have no recollte-
ton of the conversation alluded to-
am, with respect your obedient servant.
EDMUND CHRISTIAN
A. P. UrsHUR, Esq. Washington.
He has given the data as Nh Harrison gave ii.
but Mr. Archer's certificate shows that the same con
veTsalion was alluded TO.
RICHMOND, February l5 1912
DEAR Sir | have received your letter in which YOU
request me to state whether had any recollection of
conversation to which you party referred to
IN recent publication OF the Hon John NJ, Bolts as
having occurred some years since on board Of steam
boat and if SO, state what my recolections are 10
regard to IT,
I aIIaa. 49,. .
years since, whilst on my way to Norfolk to apend
the United States District Court at that place YOU
came on board the boat at Jamestown and continued
on board until our arrival at Norfolk. | also recol-
lect that during the passage conversation com
menced between yourself and other persons board
upon political TOPICS but who the other parties the
conversation were, do not now remember. did moi
participate in the conversation, and only heard de
tached portions of it 1t is therefore, impossible for
me TO give the substance even of all that anspred
But, although regret the circumstances that should
have rendered II necessary Tor me to make any state
ment upon the subject will very frankly but briefly
give you my impressions, at this distant day. OF what
then occurred IN my presence. The conversation
seemed 10 chiefly the doctrines of Modification
and secession; and understood you to contend iol
the former the appropriate remedy for uncon
stituliona legislation by Congress whilst the latter
was advocated by your opponents. In the course o
your remarks, also understood you TO express THE
opinion that dissolution Of the Union might upon
the failure of the other remedies, become necessary
and desirable measure of relief from unconsti
lulional and oppressive enactments by the Fedora
Legislature. But have no recollection of your ad
vocating, upon that occasion, dissolution of the
U nion, except alternative, and in the event .
It's becoming necessary TO escap' from what you con
sidered still greater evils, and such as have allow
described.
am, respectfully yours, &c
ROBERT C. NICHOLAS
Hon. A. P. UPsHuR,
Secretary of the Navy.