Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-09-24
letter frem Jefferson Davis-The Harper
Magazine ArtEcls-A "Reminiscences.
OAKLAND, Nd, Sept. s. 1852.

MAGAZINE ArCkcls-A "Reminiscences
OAKLAND MD, Sept s. 1852
10 the Editor Of The Washington States:
sEn:-In your paper of the Oh inst. fnd an
essay. by The Hon 8 A. Douglas, on Popular Sow
areiSutv il the Territories ard observe that the
author aa5tes from a discussion between him aud
myself On the bill Of 1850, to establish civil gov
ernment fo7 the Territory Of New Mexico, but bis
extracts are partial TO misreprtsent the posi-
ton which then and ever since have held. VIII
not tax your eouesy by asking for the use OF your
columns to reply to tae arguments of the essay or
to vindicate the Democracy of the Senth from the
supposlton that we correctly described in this
claes icaon Of the political opieion OF the country
on the subject of Territorial Government, or to re-
flute his assumption that The existence OF local Law
| in New Mexico. which prohibited Slavery, was
| an uRdistued fact Whoever refers to the DEBATE
from which he quotes, will not fail 10 observe that
il was showD TO have been not munleiPai law, Gut
the result of a decree of Dictator Of the supreme
| government OF Mexico Of the republic OF Mexico,
an therefore, il law at all, was OF the character OF
o,Iblic OF political law which IL was contendeo was
renpsled nv The trabsfer OF Jurisdiction TO me UNI
~ s,aIes ana the consequent subsection Of the
TarritoTy 10 The provisions Of our Confttu lob
! Hence the eommen, which Mr.. Douglas makes upon
he extracis lie selected from the remarks Of Mr.
CLAY and myself, perverts the position Hhlch be hal
fnu opportunity To know was held oy mJseh, snu
| others who participated in the debate
|
quest that you win give your iers an idlt'
al extrsct IRON the remarks o: Mr. Douglas to coun
teract the Impression which be made by the extrae
already published.
Mr. Douglas thus quotes frcm msef:
with reference to the protection of property in slaves Nj
T b word tn saw to the honorable Senator from Ms:
sipp r Dayisl that am not IN favor Of prot-
ing property, and that his 70
what authority h. has saying hat Do not dese 70 rot''
properly because wish 10 allow the Sp'e pas sont an
they deem proper respecting their rght 70 iToy ~ r
exemption might we'll say III a au OpP " ~
# etn psrty merchandise in STEAMBOATS, IN cAte ~ re-
AZ 20 Nv MAJ am appo,e pro ecting properly Of an
Il description des re TO 1t then all Oh an
Q the people AXE ter own Lass IN respect 10 'e W
them."
If as thence il 10 be inferred. Mr.. Douglas WISH
IS give 70 sill property equal Frotsetoa all sect
q rity-lf be was opposed { any exception, CDsuu'
,e ON or discriIn. nation sgansr properly or slave
i il will nsursliy be asked, vast, thtn "as ~
po.iii n " tn which be 50 directly anisg' zeN II
&c Justice Il his is made apparenv by qaetln
CT fsrther from his own RENAL ki gu the sa; P"lH "
+ in the same connection
% Mr. Dou,las But the Senator Mississippi says that
coateung Tor piincp that reqaires congress 10 PROV
'e property that AN contsnding "east H. 30 pa hem
sesr TO rive them government as Will en- be te
protect properly Of every kind and Description WIS " INC
exception.
al I Daupas The COVE c9ntenil for Authorizes tle
3, t.t lr%pey in ho ses, cattle, mercantile and r
ed y Of every and desrpti real and tersonai' bu
T. SEM Mississippi stysgol ma.t eAeni' arm"
- NJ uavis. No, sii, sal no suci thing
is Mr. DouglaE. lie excepted - -, =,
n, n,yi. With senator's permission, VIII tNpa
gh attacking the bin had nothing 10 do W.ih Inc
h a svo-rt TO tIy aud betterit. 80
Mr Dogg,as bsyn to discover my error an nou.ns
Sant resoushe the work Of the commi tee OF 'hen
NJ navi- fia his seat. 1t great error
n, Mr. Douglas. 1 making war upon him by mistake
-, must nav my respects the COMMITTEES OF Ihrsen.
a. l will not extend this communication ~ Col
mept or reference TO ether pOItioas OF the deoa
X and The votes by which various propositions He
he decided Iconiendel then, as now: ior the equS
.ba - Of the South in the right 10 enjoy the comm
:, noappropriatei domain; and for adequate proi'
oS' TON 10 ali he cons itutIonal rights OF every CT
Inc gcn of Ihs United States To this end hope
ere may yet attain -.
y: Very respectfully, your ote lient servant
JEFFERs DAVIS