Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-09-20
From the Washington S;a;--
Letter from the Hon. Jefferson Davis OF Mississippi

Editor Sta,cS-Sir:-In Your paper Of the
Douglas on Popular Sovereignty in the Terri.
tories. and observe that the author quotes
from discussion between him and myself oil
the bill Of 1850 to establish 4 civil government
for the Territory Of New Mexico, but his cX-
tracts are So partial is 10 misrcprcscnt the pO-
siion which then and ever since have held
will not tax Your courtesy by asking for the
use Of your columns to reply to the arguments
of the essay, or to vndicatc the Democracy oi
the South from the suppo>iton that wcarc cor
rcctlv described in his classification Of the pc.
litical opinion of the country on the subject OF
Territorial government, or to rciutc his as>ump-
ton that the existence Of a 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 a Dictator Of
the supreme government of the Republic OF
Mexico, and. therefore, if law at all, was of the
character oi public or political law, which it
was contcndcd was repealed 10y the transfer Of
jurisdiction to the United States, and the consc-
qucnt suhjcclion of the Territory TO the prUvi-
SONS of our Constitution. Hence the comment
which Mr. Douglas makes upon the extracts he
selected from the remarks OF Mr.. Clay and my
self, pcrvcrls the position which he had full OPP
portunitv to know was held by myself and
others who participated in the debate.
Nv 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 to counterfeit the impression which he
made by the extract already published.
Mr.. Douglas thus quotes from himself:
With reference to the protection OF property
in slaves, Mr. Douglas SAID
81 have a word to say TO the honorable Scna-
tor from Mississippi, CIR. Davis lie insists
that am not in favor Of protecting property
and that his amendment is offered for the pur-
pose of protecting property under the Cons,lt'l-
ton. Now, sir, | ask you What authority he
has for assuming that? DO not desire TO pro-
tcct property because wish TO allow the pcO'
pic TO pass such laws as they deem proper, re-
spccting their rights to property without any
exception: lie might just as well say that !
am opposed to protecting property in mcrchan-
disc, in steamboats,, in cattle, in real estate, as
to say that am opposed to protecting property
of any other description; for desire 10 put
them all or an equality, and allow the people
to make their own laws in respect to the whole
of them"
II. as thence to he inferred, Mr.. Douglas
wished to give TO all property equal protection
and securty-if he was opposed TO any eXcep-
ton, obstruction, or discrimination against
property in slaves, it will naturally be asked,
what, then was my position with which nc so
directly antagonized: The injustice OF his en-
tract is made apparent by quoting further from
his own remarks on the same point and IN the
SANG connection
WI Douglas. But the Senator from Missis.
sppi says that he is contendng for principle
that requires Congress 10 protect property. but
that am con;culing against it, Not at all,
sir. lde>;rc to give them such Government
as will enable them 10 protect property Of every
kind and description. wish to make no en-
ception. lie desires To make an exception.
Mr. Davis. Not ut all, sir
Mr. Douglas. The government contcndel
for authorizes them to protect property IN
horses. in cattle, in merchandise, and property
of every kind and description. real and per
sonal, but the Senator from Mississippi says
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 attacking 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 of the committee of thirteen.
Mr. Davis, lin his seat 1t was very great
error.
Mr.. Douglas. was making war upon him
by mistake. must pay my respects TO the Coin
nittce of thirteen
will not extend this communication by COM
ment or reference to other portions Of the de-
bate and the votes by which various PROPOSE
tons were decided I contended then as now,