The State guard., 1848-06-20
JhWLO Ns OIIIks T Dr. J. G. M. RAMSEY, of Tenn.
WAsHrNGroN December 24, lS47

DEAR SIR: have received your letter, and shall answer it, as frankly as it is written.
 You asked me whether I am in favor of the acquisition of Mexican territory, and what are my sentiments with regard to the Wilmot Proviso?
 have so dien and so explicitly stated my views of the first question, in the Sen. ate, that it seems almost unnecessary to repeat them here. As you request it, however, shall briefly give them.
 1 think, then, that no peace should be granted to Mexico, till reasonable in. demnity is obtained for the injuries which she has done us. The territorial extent of this indemnity is, in the first instance, subject of Executive considerations There the Constitution has placed it, and there I am willing to leave it; not only because have full confidence in its judi cious exercise, but because, in the ever- varying circumstances of war, it would be indscreet, by q public declaration, to commit the country to any line of indem- nity, which might otherwise be enlarged, as the obstinate injustice of the enemy prolongs the contest, with its loss of blood and treasure.
 It appears to me that the kind of meta physical magnanimity, which would re- ject all indemnity at the close of bloody and expensive war, brought on by direct attack upon our troops by the enemy, and proceeded by succession of unjust acts for series of years, is as unworthy of the age in which we live, as it IS revol- ting to the common sense and practice of mankind. It would conduce but little to our future security, or, indeed, to our pres- ent reputation, 10 declare that we repudi- ate all expectation of compensation from the Mexican Government, and are fight. ing, not for any practical result, but for some vague, perhaps philanthropic object, which escapes my penetration, and must be defined by those who assume this new principle of national intercommunication All wars are 10 be deprecated, as we'll by the statesman, as by the philanthropist. They are great evils; but there are grea- ter evils than these, and submission to in. justice is among them. The nation, which should refuse to defend its rights and its honor, when assalcd, would soon have neither to defend and when driven to war, it is not by professions of dsinter- estedness and declarations of magnanimi- ty, that it's rational objects can be best ob- tained, or other nations taught lesson of forbearance-the strongest security for permanent peace. We are at war with Mexico, and its vigorous prosecution is the surest means of its speedy termination, and ample indemnity the surest guarantee against the recurrence of such injustice as provoked it.
 The Wilmot Proviso has been before the country some time. It has been re- peatedly discussed Tn Congress, and by the public press. am strongly impressed with the opinion, that a great. change has been going on in the public mind upon this subject-in my own as well as others and that doubts are resolving them- selves into convictions, that the principle it involves should be kept out ot the Ma tional Legislature, and left to the people of the Confederacy in their respective lo- cal governments.
 The whole subject is comprehensive one, and fruitful of important consequen. ces. It would be ill-timed to discuss it here. I shall not assume that responsi- ble task, but shall confine myselfto such general views, as are necessary to the fair exhibition of my opinions.
 We may well regret the existence of slavery in the southern States, and wish they had been saved it's introduction But there il is, and not by the act of the present generation; and we must deal with it as great practical question, invol- wing the most momentous consequences. We have neither the right nor the power to touch it where it exists and if we had both, their exercise, by any means hereto fore suggested, might lead to results which no wise man would willingly encounter and which no good man could contemplate without anxiety.
 The theory of our Government pre- supposes that its various members have reserved to themselves the regulation of al subjects relating to what may be termed their internal police. They are sovere