Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-05-10
WASHINGTON. April I9.
President Buchanau's Letter TO
Robert y. Walker.

ssOptEt -. w hAs&NE.
The much talked OF letter of the
President to Robert J. Walker. while
Governor of Kansas, was brought out
by the Covode Investigating Com
mittee. and annexed is the document
in full:
WAsAISGToS, July II, 1857.
Ny DEAR SIR: | duly received
your letter of 2Sth ultimo. on F-iday
last, and read it to the Cabinet, then
in session. The views which it con-
tained were not calculated to assure
us of your success, though we did not
despond. Hence you may judge with
what satisfaction an account of the
proceedings Of the National Demo
cratic Convention held at Lecompton,
on the ID inst, was received. The
point on which your own success de-
pends. is the submission of the Con-
stitution to the people of Kansas: and
by the people | mean. and have no
doubt you mean, the actual bona .ffde
residents, who have been long enough
in the Territory to identify themselves
with its fate. The Legislature deter
mined three months as the period to
entitle individuals to vote for or
against the Constitution. 1t appears
to me this would be reasonable. On
the question Of submitting the Con-
stitution to the iona tide residents Of
Kansas. am willing to stand or fall.
1t is the principle of the Kansas Ne
braska bill; the principle of Popular
Sovereignty, and the principle at the
foundation of all popular Govern
ments. The more it is discussed the
stronger it will become. Should the
Convention adopt this principle all
will be settled harmoniously. and.
with the blessings of providence, you
will return triumphantly from your
arduous. important, and responsible
station. The structures of the cieor-
gia and Mississippi Conventions will
then pass away and be 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 to make the great
principle of the submission of the
Constitution to iona fde residents of
Kansas conspicuously prominent. On
this you will be irresistible. With
! the question of climate. every person
is'aequaintel, and the more gsu INSIST
upon this the less will our opponents
urge that we are violating the princi-
pie Of noninterference at the founda-
tion of the Kansas Nebraska bill. 1t
is strange that people at a distance,
who have no practical acquaintance
with the condition of Kansas, should
undertake to be wiser than those on
the spot 1t is beyond all question
the true policy to build up a great
Democratic party there to maintain
the Constitution and laws. composed
Of Pro Slavery and Free State Demo
Gratis, and if the majority should be
against Slavery. to obtain such Con-
stitutional provision rs will secure
the rights Of ve-holders in Missouri
and other States, and maintain all
laws guarding the Just rights of the
South. You are right in your con-
lecture as to the case of Judge VIII.
1 iams' appointment. We supposed
it would be peculiarly acceptable to
yourself. and that he might aid in
carrying ont our policy.
Col. Cumming has been appointed
Governor of Utah. This will cause
his place to be vacant after the briel
period required for settling mp his
business. and / certainly shall be
disposed to fill it by the appoint
mcnt of Mr.. Stephens. Gen. Harvey
has been ordered to command the ex-
petition TO Utah, but we must con.
trive to have him with you. at least
until you are out of the woods
Kansas is vastly more important al
the present moment than Utah. Th,
pressure upon me continues without
intermission. pray that the Divine
Providence in which place my trust
may graciously preserve my life and
, health until the end of my term; bu
Gods will be done in any event.
With every sentiment of esteem,
remain always sincerely yours.
(signed) JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. Robert j. Walker. Governor o
Kansas.