The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-27
The Kentucky Resolutions OF I7os-'s.
To m, Edifors of the Union.

To The Editors of the Union:
GENTLEMEN: A friend has called my attention 10 an
article in your paper issued the cad OF August, in
which, after some editorial remarks you publish, in the
FIRST place, communication from Nashville, Tennessee
signed "A Strict Observer, and then letter OF Mr. JEFF
ferson dated December nth, ls2 My present object is
to call your attention TO certain facts in regard TO this let
ter OF Mr. Jefferson.
In the letter, Mr. Jefferson distinctly claims the author
ship OF the Kentucky resolutions OF 1852; and il is
very painful especially 10 those who admire the charac
ter the services, and share the principles of MIR
Jefferson, TO controyert claim Of this SORT put forward
in this way And II is well known that John Breckin.
bat his personal and political friend and believe
all his descendants claim TO hold the principles of the old
democratic party Of the days OF Jefferson Nevertheless
this family has denied and do deny-and denied in print
from the moment they were aware OF the existence OF
such claim, the part Of Mr.. Jeerson-that was
founded in truth and have requested privately and pub
conducting TO support the claim Of Mr. Jeersoh might be
Produced and above the claim tselfsst up by him.
as far as they had any knowlege twenty years after
The Kentucky resolutions adopted, and fifteen years
after the death Of John Breckenridge MIR. JeTerson's
family must be in possession OF many letters from Mr.
Breckenridge 10 him-as MI Breeknrdge's family are in
possession Of many from Mr. jefferson and while they
have constantly affirmed that Mr. Iefersons letters
Mr. Breckenridge give no color 10 Mr. Jefieson's claim
they think they have right to know. distinctly yea or
lerson have upon the disputed point They, moreover
feel assured that collateral and ccumstaniia evidence
violently probable, not conclusive, can be produced
10 produce II whenever fair case was made as TO the
contents Of these letters Of Mr. Breckenridge to Mr. JEFF
ferson. The assertion Of Mr. jefferson il denied but
his assertion is weghty, that the denial be made
with the admission that at least there is possibility OF
its truth and il So probability that Mr. Breckinridges
confidential letters 10 him would surely clear up the point
DO they' Mr.. Jeferson's family alone can answer
Their long silence pesumptve proof, under the ccum
stances, that such claim, so put forward and steadily
denied since il was put forward is unfounded-hat the
letters OF Mr. Breckenridge do not confirm the claim Of Mr.
JeHerson-hat nothing else confirms and that rests on
his declaration made for the first time, he init
Mates twenty-five years after the fact fifteen years after
the death Of the reputed author and also after the death
OF the only witaess wv C. Nchoasl Who as Mr. Jeffer.
says, knew the facts. Now, Mr.. Jeferson's claim
may be founded in truth; but under the circumstances
the mere statement Of il by him cannot be considered
conclusive; and the absolute and constant denial Of
any thing known 70 the opposite party to Justify it, GER
tainly renders some confirmation necessafy--especally
where such confirmation so certain 10 exist in the
confidential correspondence OF these gentemensuppos
| ing the claim TO be true,
Still further this letter OF Mr. jefferson Is addressed TO
Mr.. Ncholas-to some Mr. Nicholas, who was not the
son Of Governor Wilson Carey Nicholas, but OF another
Mr.. Ncholas-of Kentucky Mr.. Nicholas. and, as you
say in your editorial remarks. and all the facts nd
cate oil MIR George Nicholas OF Kentucky the brother oil
Governor Nicholas Of Virgnia-as the only Mr. Nlcho.
las who was conspicuous in Kentucky politics about
the close OF the last century, and who was, deserv.
eddy, most conspicuous. Now, make bold to ques.
ton whether any such letter was ever addressed by
Mr. jefferson to any Mr.. Nicholas at all, anywhere,
at any time; 4 DC not question that the letter was
written by Mr.. Jefferson, nor do insinuate that he
did not retain copy Of it, nor do intimate that the
copy furnished and published on the authority OF Mr.
Jeierson's family is less than true copy Of
letter written by Mr.. Jefferson. But deny and call for
evidence that this any letter Of the purpo was
ever written to any Mr. Nicholas at allmuch less to
any son or grandson OF MIR. George Nicholas Whoever
put the address to this leerwhether Mr. jefferson him.
self, some one after him--put false address TO it.
have myself SEEM addressed TO different person, the orr
ginal letter itself Nov, il Mr.. jefferson put The false
address to the letter. when prepared for publications is
most instructive comment the claim set up In the
letter. and II some one else put the false address 10 it, il