The New York herald., 1850-12-17

Hon. JOHN w. DAVIS, oP INDIANA, AND THE
NASHVILLE CONVENTION The following is a letter
from the Hon. John w. Davis, of Indiana, in
reply to invitation to attend the Nashville Con-
vention,-
CARLISLE, Und.) Nov Is, 1850.
Your esteemed favor of October 9th, did not
the letter, which you state you had written TO me,
inviting me to attend the Nashville Convention, has
not yet come TO hand. Had / received il in time,
would most cheerfully have given ii my atten-
ton, with hope that might have served, to some
limited extent, in producing the desirable object to
which you refer. But have an abiding hope that
moderation, patriotism, and wise councils, will
pervade that body, although they are assembled at
period not propitious TO moderation. The fana-
tics Of the North are, at this time heedlessy-not
TO say wantonly-setting at defiance the laws of
Congress, in which the South very justly feel a
deep interest. But il is scarcely possible for the
South TO feel more indignant at such conduct than
The West. speak thus for large proportion OF
the people Of tho Wee, might cay, nine-tenths Of
The attachment Of the people Of the West TO the
constitution and the Union, and their determination
TO stand by and defend the compromises of the one
and the integrity OF the other fear, is underrated
py the South i can assure you that no sacrifice,
no enoIt Will be wanting the part of this portion
OF the Union to preserve the just rights of all under
the constitution, whenever and wherever their
voice can appropriately be heard.
We OF the west are holding the balance of a vast
power, IN the adjustment of which the South has
nothing 10 fear. But, trust in God, that calm de-
noerduon may govern all her councils Leave to
the distemrered action of fanatics and kidnappers.
the unhallowed business of disunion. Forego, II
possible-at least Ter a season-this threatening as
Pect OF affairs The government is evidently with
you IN the just reclamation Of your property the
law Is just; and the great body of the American
people will stand by and defend both the law and
your rights. N'
have no doubt but you are correct In the opin-
ion you have formed OF certain British Influences
inetigating the abolition Of slavery in the United
States. My own limited intercourse with English
subjects, residing in India and Asia generally, led
me TO The same conclusion know that nothing
10 more desirable with those residing in the cotton
and sugar growing portions Of the East, than the
annihlation OF slave labor in this country This Is
especially the case with the agents and factors of
The Last lndia Company, and must of necessity.
be the feeling of their subcrdinaies in the parent
government.
coincide fully with you as to the physical and
moral condition Of the African In state of slavery
being preferable, for the negro himself under the
circumstances by which he is, and must be, sur.
rounded. -
The limits Of letter viii not permit me 10 replv
fuy TO your favor or TO elaborate this subject az
iully as could desire but have some hope that
may have the pleasure 10 meet you this winter,
as fear-having spent the last two or three years
IN tropical climate-i may find the weather too
cold here during mid.winter, and may, of couse-
quence, be driven to visit New Orleans. or some
other Southern city
remain, very truly. your friend, &c.
JNo. w DAVIS