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. Ap-
peal upon appeal, communication after
communication, both privately and through
the public press, has been made, urging
me to 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 i keep none.
With you | have ever observed the most
unreserved frankness and candor; and
though you may disapproye 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 disPasslonate judgment may
not approve: nor do wish to raise false
alarm, at any time, injnriously 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 sue.
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 il has been my
proud privilege to throw myself into the
breach in your defence. What | have
done, have done; and in my heart o.
hearts, | thank you for your appreciation Of
my conduct.
AT the last session of Congress, our late
Senator, Mr.. Walker, reported Bill from
the Senate "To enable the Chickasav
Nation TO try the validity of THEN claims
in the Courts of the United States" Thi:
bill passed the Senate, and on the morn
ing of the last day of the session, in m,
absence, it passed the House OF Represen
tatives. Afterwards it was RECONSTRUCTED
and made speech upon the provision
and principles of the bill, and it was forth
with rejected. Two days subsequent t
this defeat of the bill, Mr.. Walker receiv
ed commission from Gov Brown, autho
rizing me to fill his vacated seat in tn
Senate of the United States. This com
mission was never delivered to me; an
my course on the Chickasaw bill has bee
assigned by some persons as the reason
for its non-delivery. Various comment
have been made, and am called on /
the character of witness supposed +
know all about the transaction, to spea
out; to give the legislative history of tn
bill; to explain its principles and "enorm
ties - and above all, to explain my ow
speech, wherein | say 81 have friend
urging the bill, whose wishes hate I
thwart." 1t is moreover said, that tn
question is not yet dead; that the bill
in i.seIl. just and proper, and will again
pressed on the consideration of Congress
and that an issue is sought to be made wit
me as to the business and correctness /
my positions. For all these things | al
amply prepared, and submit to your III
passed judgment all my acts, and opr
IONS and information in relation TO thes
matters, and here give you the assurance
that my future course shall correspon
with the past, without yariabIeness OF.
shadow of turning. A
The HIsToRr OF THE CHIcKAsAw BIZ
can be written IN a few words. A mem,
rial of the Chckasaw Nation Of lndiar
is presented 10 the Senate, setting for,
that the Chickasaws had ceded a larg
and valuable country to. the United State
on the condition that the proceeds of Il
ri