The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-27


We have been anxious to arrest the publication Of the
following communication, because we wished to prevent
any public discussion on question in which the families
Of two distinguished men concerned Our efforts, how
ever, have failed Both parties seem to prefer open
and public discussion. We YIELD therefore, our own
wishes, and lay the production of "Civiss before our
readers.
We never entertained a doubt about Mr. Jeferson's
being the author of the Kentucky resolutions OF '9s
Those who familiar with the important transactions
OF that memorable period. will recoect tina, there were
two setsof resolutions adopted by the Legislature OF Ken
tuckythe resolutions OF 9s and OF 90. The legisla-
ture OF Virginia, in like manner. acted twice upon the
same subject The session Of '9s9s adopted the reso-
buttons which were drawn by Mr. Madison, and pre-
scented by Mr. John Taylor OF Caroline The session of
'o9-lsoo adopted the celebrated report which was
drawn by Mr. Madison in defence OF his previous reso
lutons. The only difference in the two is that
Kentucky adopted two sets OF resolutions and Virginia
one set OF resolutions and subsequently, report in their
defence.
We have not the slightest doubt that Mr. Jefferson pre-.
pared the celebrated Kentucky resolutions OF 49,
only the few variations which adopted they
made by Mr. Breckenridge himself, before he introduced
the resolutions or after they referred to select
committee Both sets Of resolutions introduced by
Mr.. Breckenridge. and the last set (of 99) prob
ably prepared by his own pen, except the remarka.
BILE sentence about modification, which originally
drawn by Mr. Jefferson, but omitted in the first Ken
lucky resolutions, and afterwards introduced into the
ond series. We have little doubt that both sets
were introduced by Mr.. Breckenridge himself. And
herein, confess, is into which the senior ed
tor was betrayed seventeen years ago. and which he
peated more recently, in repubshng Mr. Jeersons let
ter of December H. 1921 The in stating that
the resolutions Of 1898 were probably introduced by
Mr.. George Nicholas when, in fact. he was not mem
Der of the legislature Of Kentucky This explanation
leads TO another correction, which "Civs refers to- viz
that Mr. eerson's letter is enormously published ad
dressed to Mr.. - Nicholas. Our decided impression
is. that this letter referring "your father in con-
resolutions. and by whom they submitted to the e-
gislature Of Kentucky, addressed to son OF Mr.
John Breckenridge.
We feel every confidence. that could answer all the
positions of "Civis and maintain the irresistible claim
of Mr. Jefferson to the authorship Of the resolutions
We he senior edito traced their history, and stated
the few variations, (Which they had received after
leaving Mr. Us penn in the year 1882, when his grand
son (Mr. Thomas Jefferson Randolph, the editor OF his
Memoirs and Correspondence was kind enough 10
show the original dranght in Mr.. Jeferson's hand
writing. The author had in fact preserved two copies
One the first draugh blurred and hlotted as it was
with sentences stricken out and others put in The other
was fair copy of the corrected one, written with
different ink, and upon fair and evidently mod
em paper. We would confidently rest our argument
on the reproduction OF the long article which we pre-
pared from these materials in the Enquirer" of 1882
but we prefer that the discussion should be conducted by
the family Of Mr. Jefferson HIMSELF instead OF by our
own pen In asserting this claim for that distinguished
man. is scarcely necessary for TO discaim the slight
est intention OF detractng from the distinguished merits
Of John Breckenridge whose services 10 his country no
man can appreciate more highly than ourselves and
whose memory no one can sincerely revere.
The Kentucky Resolutions OF I79s-s.
To The Editors of the Union;
GHsTLHMEN A friend has called my attention 10 an
article in your paper issued the 22d OF August, in
which, after 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 1lh 1871. My present object is
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 1885, and il is
very painful especially 10 those who admire the charac
ter the services, and share the principles of Mr.
Jefferson, TO controyer claim oil this SORT put ward