Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-09-17
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI


Standing before you in the attitude of a
candidate for Congress, and desiring to Sc
cure and maintain your good opinion and
approval of my past conduct as your Re-
preventative, and TO retain that confidence
YOU have so generously extended to me,
YOU must indulge me in this address. APP
peal upon appeal, communication after
communication, both privately and through
the public press, has been made, urging
me 10 come out with full exposition of
our Indian relations, and particularly of
the somewhat famous "Chickasaw Bill"
and longer silence on my part might
possibly lead you to the conclusion that |
knew many things about men and measures
that felt unwilling to give to the public.
But have no secrets, and keep none.
With you have ever observed the most
unreserved frankness and candor; and
though you may disapprove and condemn
my course, you shall never complain of
my deception and betrayal. can engage
in no intrigue, no combination, no secret
management TO induce you into position
which your dispassionate judgment may
not approve: nor do | wish TO raise false
alarm, at any time, injuriously to affect
others. | am plain, blunt man, and
speak out my own views about measures
in the freest manner, and leave you TO
Judge as TO the correctness Of my opinions
and the propriety of my conduct.
During my career as public man, dur
ing the last six years of which have
stood in the high and responsible station
Of your Representative in Congress, our
State has passed through some strange
and exciting scenes. Twice have we suc-
ceeded in wrestling power from the hands
Of the wings, when the elections imme-
diately preceding showed majority a
gainst the democrats and once have we
triumphed over division in our own par
ty ranks. As your sentinel, | have stood
on the outermost wall, and the denuncia.
ton and reproach intended for you have
fallen upon my ears, and it has been my
proud privilege 10 throw myself into the
breach in your defence. What | have
done, have done; and in my heart Of
hearts, thank you for your appreciation of
my conduct.
NAt the last session OF Congress, our late
Senator, Mr.. Walker, reported Bill from
the Senate "To enable the Chickasaw
Nation to try the validity of their claims
in the Courts Of the United States" This
bill passed the Senate, and on The morn
ing Of the last day OF the session, in my
absence, il passed the House OF Represen-
iatises. Afterwards il was reconsidered,
and | made speech upon the provisions
and principles Of the bill, and il was forth
with rejected. Two days subsequent to
this defeat Of the bill, Mr.. Walker receiv-
ed a commission from Gov. Brown, autho.
rizing me to gil his vacated seat in the
Senate Of the United States. This COM
mission was never delivered TO me and
my course on the Chickasaw bill has been
assigned by some persons as the reasons
for its non-dclivery. Various comments
have been made, and am called on in
the character Of witness supposed to
Know all about the transaction, TO speak
out TO give the legislative history OF the
bil; to explain its principles and "enormi
hes;' and above all, TO explain my own
speech, wherein | say 81 have friends
urging the bill, whose wishes ! hate Il
ihwan." II is moreover said, that the
question is not yet dead; that the bill is
% lseli just and proper, and will again Be
pressed on the consideration Of Congress
and that an issue is sought to be made will
me as to the business and correctness o
ny Positions. For all these things MI
amply prepared, and submit to your I'M
a'assed judgment all my acts, and opin
~ns and information 10 relation to thes'
matters, and here give you the assurances
mai my future course shall corrospon,
s''h The past, without yariablencss or I
shadow q turning.
lHR HIsroRy or THE CHIcKAsAw BILL
ean % written in few words. A memo
na' q the Chickasaw Nation Of lndianl
Presented 10 Tho Senate. setting forth
"a, the Cbickasaws had cedcd largt
oa valuable countryto The United States
~me condition shai the prcceeds Of ih'