The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-10-28
LETTER FROM HON. I'll. CLINGMAN.
RALEIGH, October 8, 1852.

DEAR SIR: In compliance with your re-
quest proceed briefly to state, in writing,
the substance Of my conversation with you
in relation to the approaching presidential e
lection. l do this the more readily, not on
ly because have no political opinions that
| wish to conceal, but because, as one Ofmy
constituents, you are entitled to
have them in a form capable of preserva-
ton for future reference.
From the time of General Scott's nomi-
nation | have universally stated-in con-
versation with my colleagues, other mem
bers of Congress, and in fact all who felt an
interest in knowing my views-that l did
not intend to support General Scott. In
reply, also to such letters as ] received, ask
ing for my opinion, repeatedly wrote to the
same effect-to gentlemen of both political
parties, who were residents of my district,
and also to some from other portions Of the
Suite. Several Of these letters were writ
ten, soon after General SCOTS nomination,
to gentlemen of both parties canvassing for
seats in the legislature. | mention this lest
it should be charged that | hestated to com
NIT myself in writing, since it was easy fol-
any one of those gentlemen-there being
no injunction of secrecy on them-to have
furnished evidence of my position did
not think it expedient to make a publica-
ton on the subject, partly because it was
said by the papers friendly to General Scott
that members of Congress ought not to at
tempt to dictate to the people, and in part
also, because preferred giving my views tt
my constituents face to face, in a full anc
free manner, on my return to my district.
In 1913, seeing that the contest was like
w to be between General Taylor and Gen
Scott, and that the former had refused tt
take any position with reference to the grea
pending questions of the day, and not being
disposed to adopt him on trust, and blind.
support him, after ii long waiting for de
veiopment Of General Taylor's views, deter
mined to advocate the nomination of Gener
al Scott rather than his. Since then l haV
had no reason to regret that course. AS
Unprecedented and predicted, as soon as tn
policy of General Taylor's administration
was developed with reference to the grea
slavery questions then pending, in conjunc
tion with majority of the southern whl
members of Congress was thrown into oopPt
sition to it. Though such was the conditio
of things for several months before Genera
Taylors death, yet the public was not ger
orally aware of Mt His sudden demise prC
vented an open and violent collision. Abou
the first of July 1850, It was determined
at meeting of decided majority of th
southern whig members of Congress, tn;
1t was our duty, before an open declaration
hostilities, to advise the then President I
our poses, &c. Three gentlemen were sele
ted for that purpose, to wit: the Hon. .. =
Conrad, the present Secretary Of War, Il
: Hon. Humphrey Marshall, of kentuok..
and the Hon. Robert Toombs, Of GeorgiI
They, in accordance with the views OF q
meeting, separately called on the Preslden
and gave him to understand that he must e.
pect our determined opposition if ne persi
ted in resisting such compromise as we a
yocated. and insisted on bis policy OF ADM
ting California and New Mexico as State
and supporting the claim Of the latter to Il