Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-03
From the Mississippian
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNOR OF
MISSISSIPPI


Quitnans relation with the late Cuba expedition and
the rumoed orders Of the Federal Administration relative
his arrest have induced him consent 10 the publication
OF the following correspondence which speaks for itself
We have only 10 odd that subsequently 10 this correspon
dence application mads the Judge OF The United
Srncs district court for order for the arrest Of
Quitman and his removal New Orleans the charge o
participation In the Cuba affair. This motion was argued
in open behalf of the prosecution by the Dstric,
Attorney assisted by employed BY the Government
and opposed behalf VI the Governor W several OF
ables members o the bar The ground tat the appca
tion irregular and defective and that power existed
in the Federal courts TO make such order The motion is
still under advsemen before his Honor Judge Ghosoa.
U. s. DIsTRicT ATroxSEy's OFFICE,
iicKsDuRG Sept. 2s 1850.
SIR The United States District Attorney for the Eastern
District of Louisiana, has forwarded certified copy II
the indictment pending against you and others In the
Circuit Court Of the United States for that District togeh
with open letter to the Hon. s. Ghoson, requesting
him. upon the presentation OF the Indictment TO take the
steps prescribed by the of Congress your
pearance al The next term Of court In his letter TO
companyng these papers dated New Orleans Sept 25 So
MIR. Hunt says:
"If you have any ,ha ,sse gentlemen will
"oluiTi;y iiahe icl appearance here and give ball
cordng 10 law in any reasonable lime, would in that case
request that you retain the letter and indictment for the pre-
sent.'
In compliance with the wish thus expressed now have
The honor TO call your attention this subject md
pecluy enquire whether you feel disposed give the
surance specified In the above extract
reply to this communication at as early day your
convenience will allow, will much oblige and is solicited
/ an, very respectfully. your ob't servt
HoRATIO J. HARRIS.
Us: District Attorney.
Hon. JOHN A QurTNAN, jackson, Miss.
EXECUTIVE DEpARragsr
JACKSON, October g 1850.
Sir avail myself Of the first leisure moment 10 answer
your letter of the 18th u, received several days since
Upon the recep, Of the FIRST information that had been in
dcted in the United States district court in New Orleans
for participation in the late Cuban affair my personal in
cinaons would have induced promptly the
baseess charges thut had thus been exhibited against by
the Federal Government CT its agents. and demand in
vestgation bu those who brought about this prosec
ton, perfectly aware, my official position Governor
OF the Stale Of Mississippi impose upon solemn and
responsible duties, which do leave liberty to con-
suit private inclnatons especially when the consequen
of my action might result in suspension Of the
tive power of sovereign State to which my primary ae
glance Is due.
In the peculiar and unprecedented attitude in which am
placed sincere desire s 10 ascertain the rule Of action
which should govern me, and to perform my whole duty
To enable decide correctly il my purpose to con-
suit competent legal advisers and hope be enabled with.
in fortnight to return definite answer, TO your enquiry
whether will give the assurance that will voluntarily
make my appearance in New Orleans and give bail according
to law, or whether shall decline doing SO.
In the mean time pray you make known 10 the attorney
who has thought fit exhibit this indictment against me,
that ready all times give tho assurance that will
appear and meet the charges made against the
termination OF my official duties Governor OF this State
shall leave me the control Of my movements.
remain, very respectfully, your obcdlcnt servant
J. A. QUlTMAN.
H. J. HARRIS, Esq, U. S. District Attorney, &c.
STATE or MISSISSIPPI, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
JACKSON, Nov. 9, 1850
Sir:-A long protracted indisposun has prevented
from giving the additional reply your letter of the 2sh
September, promised In mine OF the I'd October TO which
again refer.
hopes that the Government in view of oil the
circumstances would be disposed 10 suspend the posecu
on against until the termination Of official duties
Governor OF this State might leave liberty repair
10 New Orleans and meet the charges mado against me.
am now informed BY your note that this proposition is
and forcibe removal from the State say whether will
voluntarily make my appearance 10 New Orleans and give
oail according TO law, in any reasonable time &c.
again you that If felt liberty pursue my
personal inclinatons, would hasten TO meet the charges
exhibited against and confront my accuser but upon full
reflection have concluded that the hi.hes, obra lions
which bind my conscience and the highest duties Of al
legiancs 10 my Stats, forbid from voluntarily placing
myself In position In which comply with the
perform the other. &
therefore respectfully decline making any yoluntayl
pledges for the surrender OF my person, excep, that he
fore proposed OF meeting the indictment promptly oSn
termination of my present office If the same shall De ,
table Az an individual charged with violation oyaIs
OF Congress and asserting my innocence have nublic
10 ask from the Governments but as citizen " .ence of
any necessity for PRESSING 10 serious consequs reputed
ecuton which, far the public interest aDn ardsd ss
bo connected with it, certainly deserves al None ob
frivolous when short delay will quietly eb
jects Of the prosecution. , -. ,o,,ous
The Government, can scarcely hope ,hT bs rdn
ly In the charges preferred. But shoukG rnne of Cuba
is 6r ,Ss inaic ian ~ % nent, II seems 10 me
that the offended laws OF the counn W. srJer without
deemOs to state GT he
ciby seize upon her Chief Y actually suspend for time
nm yery y. .psclfulIy your ob't servant ,,,..,.,
'"' very 4. QUlTMAN, Governor of Mississippi; ,.
t,on a. J. HaaRls U. s. District Attorney &c, sicks'
burg, Mississippi.
w have not been unmindiu Of the hints and inuendoes
he President
states is determined TO compel the attendance Of Governor
autman al New Orleans Never has the office o onle.
Magistrate of the United States BEEN prosuuted 10 o
unobe and infamous crusade against the bright Je"e VI
or the purposes Of party ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ]
more uuscrupulousy ~ be maintulned han wo s ean
I'd in all the acts of this administration We @ s,iIi,r
nd rho mos, unusual and extraordinary scene o cuhs
in MD 10 the counsel OF the United states 70
cause OF tile Government Il was deemed insulnceh' o ma
te L. S. District Attorney should prosecute or ,ne 10y
eminent, although amply able To do 80; but ne hau W w
Joined by Attorney chosen oy ne @ sas ~ ,hs fse
h her hostility which prevails In the Federal Govern
ment towards devoted and able champion oil o'u'neh
rights 80, =, which The charges
nj ihe Government have grownl Governor Qum ~ nap
ncned 10 be in New Orleans few days before uen Lopez
and his friends sailed from that CITY, Yet ne was on .e
every day. ansacting the business incident 10 '
affairs OF large planter, and sought no cover "
himself from public notice. SO tar as me 1aDa district
Attorney fully, and probably more cognlan. VI ~.
acts of Gen. Lopez than Gov. Quitinan himself yel a' VI
fcer dreamt VI arTe5uuS tIo cSPoSito"
charges now preferred, but locker on, IKE te 'c'
the com,nanity Now whv Gov. Quitman Should ~ tnis
late day be forced appear before the u Conr 10 Loh M
sana TO answer so frivolous and unfonnded cnarge as ne
present when no actual participation in the Cuoan
lion can possibly be proved people least are q. an e
lire loss 10 conjecture unless they assign TO 'ne oaa
,,ni,.-r dooirn coat isroay e"d foPfSas
unon brave and hitherto unsulled name. IN !.
Is il for this that the Government OF our Sate sha W
deprived of her civil magistratel We warn he rse?au
and his confederates Washington not TO peiss. 10 @
citing the indignation of people They may 20 100 rd
There is no man In Mississippi who would nave .ns ~
hood to impeach the loyalty Of their worthy @ 0 70
he laws of his country Bad they may BE- ne WIN ren
der his need Of submission while they are In Sa.
when The attempt Is plainly and papaoy MADE 70
him Infamous TO blight his with the chaise ..
as /, il already given will be done wnen IN le Po
of he Federal auhorss-every feeling OF our na.us
,os m The act and We would be recreant TO al ou hoos
nsncts were we to allow this ungratetul return 70 ue
made for the brilliant achievements oil Zen. auital o
those blood stained cds in which our brave sons oA "
Heaven would palsy our hands, were we 70 slana ~ o.
is SPECTATORS and while the offspring oil oen au -
mght thus look back upon tarnthed name ou.s % 20
Soreyer counIed with il derelct 10 all the oucs VI ~
and reproach 10 The history OF our State. ,,,nsi
!, ia or reasons similar TO these that "o are ~
that The Federal authorities shall not enctoaen upon w
rub, Of our State They have chosen an oppoi!un
y the strength Of usurpod power n when one ot " ho