The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-04-21

The Presidents Letter - Rob't J. Walker.
The following il copy Of the Presidents
celebrated letter TO Robert J. Walker. when
Governor Of Kansas, which has been elected
from that gentlemen by the Covodo Inyesti-
eating Committee:
- WAsHINoToN, July 12. 1867.
MY DEAR SIR: duly received your letter
Of ths 18th uit., ON Friday last, and read it to
which 1t contained were not calculated to as
sure us OF your success, though we did not
desp0nd hence you may Judge with what
satisfaction we received an account Of the pro-
ceedings OF the National Democratic Conyen.
tion held at LecOmpton ON the I'D inst The
point on which your own success depends il
The submission Of the Cohstitution to the peo-
pie Of Kansas; and by the people, mean,
bona fds residents who have been long enough
In the Territory to identify themselves witE ils
fate. The Legislature determined three
months as the period Of residence to entitls
individuals TO vote for members Of the Con-
ventton, and II the Convention should think
proper to adopt the same period, to entitle
individuals to vote for or against the Consti-
tuition, 1T appears to me this would be reason.
able. = -
On the question Of submitting the Constitu.
tion to the bona tfde residents of Kansas, l am
willing to stand or fall. 1t is the principle Of
the Kansas Nebraska bill; the principle of
popular sovereignty, and the principle at the
sV0no0sAoH VI 0tk pOPu10I &OvGIumebt. 00
more it is discussed the stronger it will be-
come. Should the Conv ven ticn of Kansas adopt
this principle. ali will be settled tremendously,
and. with the blessing OF Providence, you will
return triumphantly from your arduOus. i'm
portant and responsible station. .-.
Thestrictures Of the Georgia and Mississippi
Conventions will then pass away and be
speedily forgotten. In regard to Georgia, our
news from that State Is becoming better every
day. We have not yet had time to hear much
from Mississippi. Should You answer the
resolution Of the latter, would advise you 10
make the great principle OF the submission of
the Constitution to the bona fde residents of
Kansas conspicuOusly prominent. On this
you will be irresistible. With the question of
climate every person is acQ uainted, and the
more you insist upon this the more will our
opponents urge that we are violating the prin-
clple of non-interference at the foundation OF
the Kansas and Nebraska bill. 1t is strange
that people at a distance, who have no prac.
tical acquaintance with the condition of Kan
sas, should undertake to be wiser than those
on the spot Ii is, beyond all question, the
true policy to build up a great democratic
party there to maintain the Constitution and
the laws, composed Of ro-Slavery and Free
State Democrats, and if the majority should
be against Slavery, to obtain such Constitu-
tional provisions as will secure the rights OF
shareholders in Missouri 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 acceptable to
yourself, and that he might aid in carrying
out your policy. ..
Colonel Cumming has been appointed Gov
| ernor of Utah. This will cause his place to
be vacant after the brief period required fol
| settling up his business, and certainly shall
be disposed to fill it by the appointment of Mr.
Stevens.
General Harvey has been ordered to com.
mand 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 moment than
| Utah. t'
The pressure upon me continues without in
| termission. l pray the Divine Providence ir
which place my trust may graciously pre-
| serve my life and my health until the end O
my term. But Gods will be done in any event
With every sentiment Of esteem,
| remain always sincerely your friend,
[Signed] JAMES BUCHANAN.
To Hon. Robert J. Walker