The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-26
MIR. UPSHUR'S LETTER.
APPENDIX b.

WASHINGTON, Feb. ii, lo42
GENTLEMEN You will perceive by the certificate
of Mr. Edward w. Johnston appended 10 the late pub
LEGATION of Mr. Bolts, that he represents me as dis
unionist in consequence of supposed connexion IN
principle in design, and in counsels, witt the nullih-
cation movement in South Carolina. | was the hrst
to defend your principles before the people of Virginia
upon the ground that they were conservative OF the
Unon Was right in this, was l. while thought
that was indicating the principles of the Con-
stitution aiding the designs of men who were anx-
ious TO destroy it 7!
Mr.. Johnston says, in effect, that | was in the
habit of nerchanging opinions with the nulihcation
party in South Carolina. Does he speak the truth IN
this?
He says also, that when my services were desired
as writer for the Southern Review, it was reported
among my close friends in South Carolina that |
went beyond notification, and was Iisunionst de-
telmined to devote my future life to that cause is
| this true 2" Which of you heard such ru-
NOR? BY which of you will the truth of this state
ment be sustained?
| To such of you as know the fact, (and think |
can confidently refer to Mr.. Calhoun and Mr. Pres
ton, appeal, to say if was not actually selected TO
conduct The Southern Repielo
Mr. Johnston claims to have been your confidential
organ Be pleased to say whether he is justified in
| the general statement he haS given, or not.
An early reply will obIige yours, very respectfully,
A. P. UPSHUR.
Messrs J. C. Calhoun, w. c. Preston, r. b.
| Rhett W. Butler, w. Thompson, F. w. Pickens,
| P. c. Caldwell, L F.. Holiness T. D. Sumter, S. Fl.
| Butler.
! WASHINGTON, Feb a. 1912.
SIR: have received your note, addressed to por-
ton of the South Carolina delegation, including my
SELF propOundng several questions in reference to the
certificate of Mr.. Ed. w. Johnston appended to Mr..
Botts's publication, to which answer as follows:
| Your first question is, does he (Mr Johnston)
speak the truth in saying in effect, that you were In
the habit of exchanging opinions with the nullifica-
ton party of South Carolina.
| answer, that have no knowledge Of any cores
pondence Of the kind nor have ever heard of any
such before. You had none with me- and infer,
from not having heard Of any, that you had no cor
respondence with any member of the party, with
whom was in the habit of intercourse.
You next ask if it is true, as stated by him, that
when your services were desired as writer for the
Southern Review it was reported among your close
friends in South Carolina, that you went beyond null
LITIGATION, and was dsunonist, determined to devote
your future life to that cause' To which you add
two other questions Which of you ever heard of
such rumor2 By which Of you will the truth of this
statement be sustained
reply that never heard of such rImor and
that the certificate Of Mr. Johnston is the first intma-
ton ever had that such one existed 1t is due to
you in addition to state that had frequent and full
conversations with you in reference to the revival OF
the Southern Review think it was about the time
to which he REFERS in 1886. The object in attempt
ing its revival was to discuss the questions in which
the Southern portion of the Union supposed to
be particularly interested, in its commercial POLITICAL
and social relations; and the better understanding
of which, both in this and the other sections, its pros
perity and safety supposed in great degree, to
depend In our conversations, all these questions
were passed in review, and can Say, with confidence
that in all that passed. you did not utter word that
favored of disunion On the contrary, one of the
happy consequences anticipated was that the effects
of the discussion would tend to couneract causes
which had then begun to operate, and which were re-
garded as hostile to the Union.
You next appeal to such of the delegation who may
have knowledge of the fact, to state whether you
were not actually selected to conduct the Southern
Review For an answer, you particularly appeal to
Col. Preston and myself.
In answer, | state that such certainly was my I'M
derstanding.
You finally ask whether Mr.. Johnston is JUS
tilted in claiming to be the confidential organ OF the
party
All can say is, if he was was ignorant of it.
nor did conceive that the required one. We
openly and man ully maintained what we believed to
be great constitutional principle, which, so far from
tending disunion eminenty conservative In its
character. Thus thinking, the maintenance of the
principles in opinion, required neither disguise
nor secrecy the part of its advocates Its force
consisted in its TRUTH and that free and full discus
sion and it was accordingly that we relied for
its support.
With great respect, yours, sc.
J. G. CALHOUN.
Hon. A, P, UpsHuR.