The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-30
mr.. FiIlmore's Buffalo Letter.

A garbled copy of a letter written by the
President in 1888 having long been in circu-
lation, designed to represent him in false
light on the questions to which it refers, we
are happy in being enabled to present to the
public copy of that letter in an unmutilated
form. 1t will be seen that the entire commu
nication places the PRESIDENTS views, even at
the date in question, in an altogether different
aspect from that which il has been made to
bear by the publication of portion of the let
ter, shorn of its very material qualifications
and explanations Will the presses which
have heretofore published the letter in gar
bled form have the manliness to publish the
following complete and authentic version of it ;
BUFFALO, October IT, 1898.
Sin: Your communication of the 18th inst. as
chairman Of committee appointed by " The
Anti Slavery Society of the county of Erie" has
just come to hand. You solicit my answer to the
following interrogatories:
''First. Do you believe that petitions to Congress
the subject of slavery and the slave trade ought
to be received, read, and respectfully considered
by the Representatives of the people?
Second. Are you opposed to the annexation of
Texas to this Union, under any circumstances, SO
long as slaves are held therein?
"Third Are you in favor of Congress exercising
all the constitutional power it possesses TO abolish
the internal slave trade between the States9
"Fourth. Are you IN favor of immediate legis-
lation for the abolition of slavery in the District of
COLUMBIAN"
am much engaged, and have no time to enter
into an argument or TO explain at full length my
reasons for my opinion. | shall therefore content
myself for the present by answering all your in
terrogatories in the affirmative, and leave for some
future occasion more extended discussion of the
subject. would, however, take this occasion to say
that, in thus frankly giving my opinion, would
not desire to have it understood in the nature of
pledge. At the same time that seek DISCUSSES,
but freely give my sentiments on any subject of
interest to those for whose suffrages | am a cand
date, am opposed to giving any pledges that
shall deprive me hereafter fall discretionary power
My own character must be the guarantee for the
general correctness of my legislative department
On every important subject am bound to delibe-
rate before act and, especially as legislator, to
possess myself of all the information, and listen to
every argument that can be adduced by my
sociates, before / give final vote. If stand
pledged to particular of action, cease to
be q responsible agent but become mere ma
chine Should subsequent events show, beyond
all doubt, that the course had become pledged
TO pursue was ruinous to my constituents and
disgraceful to myself, have alternative, no OPP
portunity for repentance, and there is power to
absolve me from my obligation. Hence the i'm
propriety, not TO say absurdity, in my views of
giving pledge.
am aware that you have not asked any pledge,
and believe know your sound judgment and
good sense too well to think you desire any such
thing 1t was, however, to prevent any misrepre
sentation the part of Others that have felt il
my duty to say thus much this subject.
am, respectfully, your most obedent servant,
WILLARD FILLMORE.
w. MILLS, esq, Chairman, &c.