The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-28
From the Jackson JEississippian.
Letter from Jefferson Davis.
BRIERFIELD, Warren county, Mis-


Letter from Jefferson Davis.
BRIERFIELD, Warren county, Miss.
February 2, 1852.
MEssRs BARKsDALE u JONES
GENTLEMEN: A letter signed H. s. Foote,
which was published in newspaper at Jackson,
Miss, the alag Of The Union" Of Jan'y 30th,
1852, contains such an attack upon myself, and
the party of which am a member, as cannot
permit to pass unnoticed. That the answer
may % made as public as the attack, ask for
this place in the "Mississippian." Respect
for the office of governor of the State constitu-
ties protection to the incumbent which am
not prone to forget or disposed to disregard ;
but if the incumbent, neglectful Of the propriety
of his station, assail individuals, Just public
will not deny to them the right to reply t, him
as if he were private citizen.
The letter rs published, is without date, and
addressed to Hons J. d. Freeman, John A.
Wilcox. and B. 0. Majors. The pretext is to
repel efforts made at Washington city, to create
distrust Of the writer in regard to his 'inten-
tons touching the approaching Presidential con-
test" and he requests the early insertion of the
letter in the columns of the Washington
Union. The inquiry naturally suggests itself
If this letter was written to protect himself at
a distance, why did he publish it at Jackson,
Miss! The answer to the inquiry is found in
the following sentence of the letter. I" / now
repeat it, in this formal manner, here in the city
of Jackson, DhilSt a contest for place in The
Senate of the United States Is pending, with
which my name stands connected The pubca-
ton, then in the city Of Jackson, though it
might not expedite the receipt of his communi-
cation by those for whom it was ostensibly in
tended, would bring the knowledge of its con-
tents most promptly to the members of the
legislature, whilst that contest was pending.
Yet, however, he might electioner with the
Legislators as to the manner in which they would
discharge delegated trust, though he should
whiningly beseech them to mingein his personal
interest with their considerations Of public duty
these alone could never have led me to break
the silence / was disposed to observe. But
when he departs from his former policy of COW
ert insinuation, and introduces my name for
public reconsideration without provocation
or connection with the avowed object of his
communication, he couples me with an un.
founded and oft refuted calumny against the
party with which have been and am politically
identified, he indicates me as the person who
shall mete out TO him some portion of the
justice which has been so long delayed
He says: Throughout the late canvass in
this State, the secessionists, with Messrs. Quit
man, Davis, and Barton, at their head, 10 nc
cordance with resolution of the Nashville con
venton, everywhere denied all regular utilization
with the national Democratic party Of the
Union, whilst you and /, and every other Union
Democratic candidate in the State, in every
speech which we made, declared our approval
and support of the Baltimore platform, our de.
termination 10 remain 10 fraternal connection
with the Democratic party Of the nation, and
our intention TO sustain the nominees of the
Baltimore convention for President and Vice.
President" do not know whether one should
be most surprised at the insolence, the whole.
sale Islander, or the reckless falsehood of this
statement.
The Democratic State Rights party of Mis-.
sissippi, in their general convention of June
last, declared that secession by Mississippi was
inexpedient, and was n proposition which die
not meet their appreciation. This, so far as
know, and believe, was and is their position
The resolutions of that convention formed the
platform on which stood in the canvass. TIC
attribute 10 the party the purpose Of secession
to send abroad where the facts are less under
stood, such calumny against but little less thar
half the voters, and very large majority Of III,
Democrats in the State, was an offence from
Indignation would restrain him; from bis regard
for truth had nothing to hope. To name me
rs leader in that secession movement, know
ing my position as well as he did, was degre,
of falsehood, which only such miserable malice
as his, could produce.
The assertion that every Union Democrat,
candidate in the State, in every speech the,
made, declared their approval Of th6 Baltimore
platform, and their intention to support the nomi
nees Of the Baltimore convention, is too broad
TO require rcfntation. IL this.and the frater
nal connection with the Democratic party Of IN,
nation" had been the shibboleth OF the Unior
party, those candidates could never have beer
elevated into Office by combination Of a frac
ton Of the Democrats with the great body o
the Wings. How must they receive this as
sertion, who have been accustomed 10 hear bin
speak of the Union party of Mississippi, as III,
formation of new organization composed o
the best elements OF both the old ones tina
the Wing, more than the Democratic party Of IN,
South, was 70 be relied on for the preservation
Of the Union. And what must be the surpris,
Of those incur own State who have been led :,
abandon their old party alliances under The be
lief that u was necessary 10 preserve the Union
when they learn that their leader was still rely
ing on the Democratic party Of the United States
whilst invoking them 10 the destruction Of tina
organization in Mississippi
| He says he declared his intention TO support
the nominees Of the Baltimore convention 70
President and Vice President, in every speed
he made in the late canvass, which, believe, h,
has estimated at one hundred. How are those
declarations 10 be balanced against the solemn
written pledge he had previously given, wher
he struck hands with forty.three members o
the 3lst Congress, 80 Wings, and Democrat.
each binding himself Not TO support any man 0
whatever party, for the Office of President o
Vice President, &c, &C., except upon enumer
ated conditions, among which neither find In
baltimore platform, nor the Baltimore conrer
lion mentioned? a.
If a solemn pledge could have bound hin
this bad deprived him Of the power TO max
those unconditional declarations that he voul
support the nominees Of the Baltimore conven
ton. If those numerous declarations which h
srys be made. were obligatory upon him, an,
credited by those to whom they were made