The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-26

The following is the letter of Judge Berrien,
explaining his reason for declining the nomination
TO the Georgia Convention, rendered him by the
resistance party of Savannah. 1t will be observed
that his sole reason was the necessity for his
presence in Washington, at the period of the as
sembling at that Convention -
ATLANTA, Nov. 10, 1850
DEAR STR:-On my arrival here, to-day, he'd
the honor TO receive your communication, as
Chairman of the Union Southern Rights Party, of
Chatham, announcing TO me my nomination, by
that portion of my fellow citizens, as a candidate
TO represent the county of Chatham, in the ap-
preaching Convention, and seize the earliest mo-
ment to offer TO them, through you, my respectful
acknowledgements for this manifestation of their
confidence beg you, my dear sir, TO make these
Acknowledgements acceptable to your associates,
and TO add To them the assurance, that with opin-
ions and feelings unchanged, with an unfaltefing
conviction OF our wrongs, which reflection only
serves 10 confirm, and lively Apprehension Of
further aggression, which each day intelligence
but serves 10 strengthen. ! would willingly have
shared in the labors OF the Convention, IL such had
been the desire of my fellow. citizens of Chatham,
but for the reason which | will proceed TO state.
Before ! left Washington, in co nmunlca cation
from highly valued friend, il was suggested 20 me
that ought TO be member OF that Convention.
The subject having been thus presented to me, the
deep interest which feel in the result Of its de-
hberations, induced me to reflect seriously on the
propriey OF accepting nomination, IL IL should be
rendered To me. And fret, IL seemed to me that,
the acts of the last Congress will constitute
important portion of the subjects on which the Con-
venlion will deliberate, IL would be more appropu-
ate for the members Of that Congress 10 leave TO
others the judgment 10 be pronounced on their
duct. This, however, is a consideration of mere
personal feeling, involving no question OF right and
no conflict Of duty, and which, therefore, might be
overcome; but there is a difficulty which, | pre-
sumo, must have been overlooked ia nominating
me, which cannot be so easily surmounted.
MY official duty will require me TO be at Wash
ingion during the sitting of the Convention. THIS
Is duty uhlch Ore 10 the rhoie PEOPLE of Georgia
and the daily intelligence which we receive of the
agitation in the non slaveh0lding States, and espe
clally OF the disposition which they eviuce TO
evade, or il that he impTacticable, TO resist the
forcement Of the Fugitive Slave law, seems TO me
10 render IL proper that Southern representatives
should be early and steadily in their seats In the
approaching session of Congress. II is trde that
IL is not ueua in that body to transact much BUSH
ness before Christmas but this is peculiar crisis,
in which il would not be quite prudent to judge OF
coming events by the recolle ction OF past usage,
and the rule some time since adopted, by which
the unfinished business Of one session is continued
to the next session Of the same Congress, may fur
nish motive for proceeding at once to its conside-
ration as soon as the committees are appointed.
II any measure, hostile 10 the Interests of Gesr-
gia, should he brought before the Senate, while
was absent from my seat by any act of my own,
would feel that | had negle cied a duty which
owed to my constituents-to the whole people Of
Georgia. ! have already declined TO allow my
name 10 be presented for nomination in one coun-
~, and have refused a nomination actually made
in anotber--and my sincere belief IA, that will
bes, fulfil the obligation which i've TO my fellow
citizens Of Chatham, by declining the nomination
with which they also have honored me, and hy re-
pairing TO my post in the Senate Of the United
States. ask you TO make known to them this
determination, which, excluding every considera-
ton personal TO myself, regard TO their interests
has induced me 70 adopt. Ia assigning these rea-
sons for declining this nomination, desire not to
be understood as expressing any opinion OF the
propriety Of a contrary course, " any Of my col
leagues, taking different view OF the subject,
should think proper to pursue H. They are simply
stated az the motives Of my own conduct have
the honor to be. very respectfully, your fellow
citizen, JOHN MACPHERSON BERRTEa
To DIR. JAMES p. ScREvkN, Chairman Uaion
Southern Rights Party, Chatham.