The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-19
APPENDIX--(A.)
RICHMOND. February

RICHMOND, February 10, 1912
Sir: In compliance with your request con veyed
through Mr.. Mayo, thai would see Maj Edmund
Christian and ascertain from him what his rccol
lection of the conversation alluded by Mr.. Hsrri-
son, having occurred in his presence on board a
steamboat, between MIR. Bolts and yourself, have
seen Major Christian, and requested him to give
statement, in writing, of what he recocced about the
matter. He told me that he had recollection what
ever of such conversation, but declined giving any
written statement.
am, sir, very respectfully,
WIN. B. ARCHER
Hon. A. p UpsHUR.
Mr.. Christian afterwards gave certificate in the
following words
RICHMOND, February 10, 1912.
DEAR Sin: have received yours of the 9th instant,
in which you state that Mr.. Philip HARRISON in GER
tifcate which he has given to Mr.. Bolts, refers to a
conversation in steamboat on James river, in 1887
or 1885, between Mr.. Botts Judge Barbonr and
yourself, relative to dissolution of the Union at
which was present and you desire to say
whether recollect such conversation or not and
if do, to state what transpired on that occasions
In answer, have to state that have no recolec-
ton OF the conversation alluded to.
am, with respect, your obedient servant.
EDMUND CHRISTIAN.
A. P. UPsHuR, Esq Washington.
He has given the data as Mr.. Harrison gave il,
but Mr.. Archer's certificate shows that the same con-
versatI0n was alluded TO-.
RICHMOND, February Is, 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 M Bolts as
having occurred years since board of steam
boat; and, If So state what my recoections are in
regard to 1t.
recolect very distinctly that some five or six
years since, whilst my way to Norfolk to attend
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
menced between yourself and other persons board
upon political TOPICS but who the other parties the
conversation were, do not now remember. l did not
participate in the conversation, and only heard de-
tached portions of it it is, therefore, impossible for
me to give the substance of all that transpired.
But although lregret the circumstances that should
have rendered it necessary for 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 to turn chiefly the doctrines Of notification
and secession; and understood you to contend for
the former the appropriate remedy for uncon-
stitutiona legislation by Congress whilst the latter
was advocated by your opponents. In the course of
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 as measure of relief from unconsi.
tutlonal and oppressive enactments by the Federal
Legislature. But have recollection of your ad-
vocatlng, upon that occasion, dissolution of the
Union, except as an alternative and in the event of
Its becoming necessary to escap. from what you con-
sidered still greater evils and such as have above
described.
am, respectfully, yours &c
ROBERT C. NICHOLAS.
Hon. A. P. UpsHUR
Secretary of the Navy.