The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-09-21
Letter from Hon. Jefferson Davis.

1 -
After the severe reproof which Senator
Davis administered to Douglas for misrepre-
senting his position in his Alton speech pending
the Illinois canvass,to say nothing Of the ter
rible scourging which he received from the
same hands in the Senatorial debate on the
23d of February last, none but one wholly
desperate and inscriptions would have again
tried the experiment But it has been again
attempted and again rebuked, as win be seen by
the following letter Of Senator Davis which we
have reproduced from the Washington States
newspaper of the 18th inst.
OAKLAND, ND, Sept. 6, 1859.
EDITOR STATEs-Sir: In your paper Of
the 9th inst, find an essay by the Hon. s.
A. Douglas on Popular Sovereignty in the
Territories" and observe that the author
quotes from discussion between him and
myself on the bill of 1850 to establish civil
government for the Territory of New Mexi-
co, but his extracts are so partial as to misrep-
resent the position which I then and ever
since have held. will not tax your courte-
sy by asking for the use Of your columns to
reply to the arguments Of the essay, or to vim
dictate the Democracy of the South from the
supposition that we are correctly described in
his classification Of the political opinion of the
country on the subject Of Territorial govern
ment, or to refute his assumption that the ex-
istence of local law in New Mexico, which
prohibited slavery" was an undisputed fact
Whoever refers to the debate from which
he quotes, will not fail to observe that it was
shown to have been not municipal law but the
result of decree of q Dictator Of the supreme
government of the republic of Mexico and
therefore, if law at all, was of the character oil
public or political law, which it was contended
was repealed by the transfer of jurisdiction to
the United States and the consequent sub
lection of the Territory to the provisions Of
our Constitution. Hence the comment which
Mr.. Douglas makes upon the extracts he
selected from the remarks of Mr.. Clay and
myself, perverts the position which he had full
opportunity to know was held by myself and
others who participated in the debate.
l. My object in addressing you this letter is to
request that you will give to your readers an
additional extract from the remarks of Mr..
Douglas tocounteract the impression which he
has made by the extract already published.
Mr.. Douglas thus quotes from himself:
With reference to the protection of prop
erty in slaves, Mr.. Douglas said
| II have a word to say to the honorable
Senator from Mississippi, (Mr. Dayis.) He
insists that am not in favor of protecting
property, and that his amendment is offered
for the purpose Of protecting property under
the Constitution. Now, sir, ask you what
authority he has for assuming that ? Do /
not desire to protect property because l wish
to allow the people to pass such laws as they
deem proper respecting their rights to prop
erty without any exception He might Just
as well say that am opposed to protecting
property in merchandise, in steamboats,, in
cattle, in real estate, as to say that am oppo-
sed to protecting property Of any other des-
cription; for | desire to put them all on an
equality, and allow the people to make Their
own laws in respect to the whole of them"
II, as thence is to be inferred, Mr. Douglas
wished to give to all property equal protection
and securty-n he was opposed to any ex.
ception, obstruction, or discrimination against
property in slaves, it will naturally be asked
what, then, was my position with which hs
so directly antagonized? The injustice of hi
extract is made apparent by quoting further
from his own remarks on the same point and
in the same connection:
| OOuRlaS. Dut IuHEo6 QaVOr HUH 4llSSlS
sippi says that he is contending for princi
pie that requires Congress to protect property
but that am contending against it. Not a
all, sir. desire to give them such govern
ment as will enable them to protect property
make no exception. He desires to make al
reception.
Mr. Davis. Not at ALL sir.
NJ no,,r1oc The ,ovorD,Oavk az
for authorizes them to protect property il
horses, in cattle, in merchandise, and property
of every kind and description, real and per
sonal; but the Senator from Mississippi say.
that you must exclude African slavery.
Mr.. Davis No, sir, said no such thing.
Mr. Douglas. He excepted -
Mr.. Davis. With the Senator's permission
|. will explain. He is attaching the bill, but
had nothing to do with the bill, except to try
and better it.
Mr.. Douglas. | begin to discover my error
am holding the Senator responsible for the
work the committee of thirteen.
Mr.. Davis. Tin his seat) 1t was very
great error.
Mr.. Douglas. | was making war upon him
by mistake. | must pay my respects to the
committee of thirteen.
| / will not extend this communication bV
comment or reference to other portions of the
debate and the votes by which various propo-
sitions were decided. commended then, as
now, for the equality of the South in the
right to enjoy the common unappropriated
domain; and for adequate protection to all the
constitutional rights of every citizen of the
United States. To this end hope we NAV
yet attain.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
| JEFFERSON DAVIS.