The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-12
EXECUTIVE DEpARrMENT. s. G..

-
MY DEAR Sin: Your letter Of April aOth, con-
tanning your resignation "as a Senator In Con-
gress Of the United States" was handed to me by
your son, COL X. b. Rhett. just as the convention
had adjourned. press q business prevented me ns
the next morning regretted to learn that you had
left Columbia before could see you on the sub
ject
resignation until have had an opportunity Of re.
questing you TO reconsider the matter DO not
consider that the course of the convention has been
such as to render you an "unfit representative OF
the State.'' | am very far from believing that the
State has repudiated the idea Of resistance to Fed
ersl aggression. That the people by their voice IN
October last decided by large majority against
immediate separate State secession cannot be de-
MED: and, in obedience to this decision, the con-
vention was bound to act; but at the same time it
puts forth with great unanimity, (without respect
to recent party divisions,) in the solemn form Of
an ssOrdinance," an embodiment OF the very prin-
cples whicHyoh, in common with the State Rights
party of the State, for years have advocated.
hope that you, upon reconsideration Of the
subject, will withdraw your resignation, and CON.
tinue to occupy q position which you have hlicd
Z will take action in the premises until hear
from you. An answer, however. is requested at
your earliest convenience
am, dear sir, your obedient servant,
]. H. MEANS.
Hon. R. BARswRLL RHErr.
CHARLESTON, May s, 1852.
To his Excellency JOHN H. MEANs, Governor Of
the State of South Carolina:
DEAR Sin Yours of the I'd instant was delivered
to me by my son, whom you kindly deputed to
bring me your communication requesting me 70
reconsider the resignation rendered to your excel
iency of my seat as Senator from South Carolina
in the Congress of the United States. assure your
excellency that had maturely considered the
course should pursue when rendered you the
resignation of my seat, and the subsequent refiec
mi
cation, has not satisfied me with profound defer
ence to your excellency) that could have pursued
any other course. agree with your excelency that
the people. by the vote in October last did decide
against immediate separate secession; but did
not suppose, until convinced by the action of the
convention that they had decided in favor of abso
lutte submission Still less did suppose thatit was
inconsistent with their will that the convention
should vindicate in some way the outraged sover-
eighty of the State by some measure retaliatory on
our common enemies, preparing her in the future
for the better protection of her people. The ord-
nance affirming the right OF secession to which your
excecncy alludes. s mere declaration Of an exist
ing right which from 1928 to this day all parties in
South Carolina have recognised. The ordinance
neither facilitates its exercise, nor in any way gives
potency to the right In the condition in which
the State was placed by the fall election, doing
nothing by the convention, and assigning no rea-
sons for non action. is not only submission to the
wrongs of the General Government, but 10 my APP
prehension ia tacit afhrmance OF the policy OF CO.
need not say to your excellency that have all
my 70 been supporter of State rights and State
sovereignty. Cooperation repudiates both "a
practical entities, and instead OF enforcing them,
for the protection of the citizen of South Carolina,
casts him tho aid and strength Of the other
States. Any practical vndcation by the conven-
ton of State rights. any measure asserting the
sovereignty Of the State, would have Satisfied me
that the State did not intend to rest this policy
But she has done nothing in the convention, and
am compelled TO infer that her position 10 subms.
sion. and her policy operation. repeat what
said in my letter of resignation to your excellency
| that ! do not "deem myself proper Representa-
tive" of such position and policy ] therefore
regret that cannot comply with the wishes oil
your cxcellency, and withdraw my resignation.
Sensible Of the profound respect owe the State
my sovereign, and deeply grateful for the many
favors and honors she has conferred upon me, bow
to her declared will, and make way for those who.
With hearts lcss sad, and judgments more con-
yinced can better sustain her in the she has
determined 70 pursue
Believe me, dear sir, your most obedient SER
want, Il. b. RHETT.