Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-04-27
The Presidents Letter to Hebe ri
j. walker.

The following is copy Of the Presidents
celebrated letter to Robert J. Walker, when
Governor of Kansas, which has been elicit
ed from that gentlemen by the Covode In
vestigating Committee
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1857.
Ny DEAR SIR: I duly received your
letter Of the 28th ult., on Friday last. and
read il to the Cabinet then in session. The
views which it contained were not calculated
to assure us Of your success, though we
did not despond; hence you may judge with
what satisfaction we received an account Of
the National Democratic Convention held
at Lecompton on the 23d inst. The point
on which your own success depends is the
submission Of the Constitution to the peo-
pie Of Kansas; and by the people, I mean,
and have no doubt you mean, the actual
bona fde residents who have been long e.
nough in the Territory to identify them
selves with its fate. The Legislature de-
terminea three months as the period of res
idence to entitle individuals to vote for mem
bers of the Convention, and if the Conven-
ton should think proper to adopt the same
period, to entitle individuals to vote for
or against the Constitution, it appears to
me this would be reasonable.
On the question Of submitting the Con-
stitution to the bona fde residents Of Kan
sas, am willing to stand or fall. It is the
principle Of the Kansas Nebraska bill; the
principle of popular sovereignty, and the
principle at the foundation Of all popular
government. The more 1t is discussed the
stronger it will become. Should the Con-
vention Of Kansas adopt this principle, all
will be settled tremendously, and. with the
blessing Of Providence, you will return tri-
umphantly from your arduous, and impor-
tant and responsible station.
The structures Of the Georgia and Missip-
pi Conventions will then pass away and be
speedily forgotten. In regard to Georgia,
our news from that State is becoming bet
ter every day. We have not yet had time
to hear much from Mississippi. Should you
answer the resolution of the latter, would
advise you to make the great principle OF
the submission of the Constitution to the
bona fde residents Of Kansas conspicuously
prominent. On this you will be irresisti-
BILE. With the question of climate every
person is acquainted, and the more you in
sist upon this the more will our opponents
urge that we are violating the principle OF
non interference at the foundation Of the
Kansas and Nebraska bill. 1t is strange
that people at distance, who have no prac-
teal acquaintance with the condition of
Kansas, should undertake to be wiser than
those on the spot It is, beyond all ques-
ton, the true policy to build up great
Democratic party there to maintain the Con-
stitution and the laws, composed of Pro-
Slavery and Free-State Democrats, and if
the majority should be against Slavery, to
obtain such Constitutional provisions as will
secure the rights of shareholders in Missou-
ri and other States, and maintain all the
laws guarding the just rights Of the South.
You are right in your conjecture as to
the cause of Judge Williams appointment.
We supposed it would be peculiarly accep-
table to yourself, and that he might aid in
carrying out your policy.
Colonel Cumming has been appointed
Governor of Utahs This will oaise bis
place to be vacant after the brief period re-
CURED for settling up his business, and
certainly shall be disposed to fill it by the
appointment of Mr.. Stevens.
General Harvey has been ordered to
command the expedition to Utah, but We
must continue to have him with you, at least
until you are out of the woods. Kansas is
vastly more important at the present mo-
ment than Utah.
The pressure upon me continues without
intermission. / pray the Divine Provi-
dence, in which place my trust, may gra-
ciously preserve MY life and my health IN
til the end Of MY term. But Gods Will be
done in any event.
With every sentiment of esteem,
remain always sincerely
Your friend;
(S;onod1 tAMES RTJCHANAN. .