The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-27
MIR. Buchanan's Letter to Robert j.
Walker.-A Bombshen for the N a.
tional Convention.


The letter of President BUCHANAN to
ROBERT j. WALKER was drawn forth by
the Covode Investigating Committee. Mr..
+. b. SCHNABEL, of Pennsylvania, in his
examination before the committee, testified
that the letter was exhibited to him by
Gov. WALKER in vindication of his course
in Kansas, Gov. w. deeming the letter in
no sense private, but semi>oficial Mr..
ScHNABEL says in his testimony:
The time | saw the letter was soon after the
resignation of Gov. Walker. had with many
other gentlemen, earnestly urged his appoint
ment; hence felt profound interest IN his
success. COnversing with him about what was
deemed an indirect removal OF him from Kan
sas, led to the introduction of this letter at the
interview referred to. / considered 1t most
extraordinary document, when remembered
that Mr.. Walker was no longer Governor OF
Kansas. 1t seemed to me from the contents of
this letter. that ne was forced TO abandon his
post because he had faithfully carried out, as
far as he had power, the instructions and ad-
vice of President Buchanan. l consider the
letter an unqualified endorsement of Governor
Walkers course in Kansas. was particularly
struck with the potent fact that the President
considered the submission of the Constitution
by the Convention, to the people of Kansas, as
the true principle and Interpretation OF the
Kansas and Nebraska bill.
In another portion Of his testimony, Mr..
S. describes a conversation with Attorney
General BLACK, in reference to the letter,
which shows that the Presidents most con-
fidential adviser was ignorant of its COM
tents:
had an accidental discussion with Attorney
General Black upon the truth of the existence
of such a document as the one referred to in
this testimony, he denying, and l affirming.
He declared that no such document existed,
and never did exist. told him l had seen it.
He affirmed that was mistaken; that if such
a letter existed no good citizen would with
hold it. l inquired of him whether he invited
it's production in the name of the President.
He replied "Yes," that he challenged its pro.
ductiOn. That if Gov. Walker had such pa
per, his duty to his country. as well as to him
self required him to produce it. That in point
of fact, however, he said the story was not
founded in truth, or words to that effect. Many
severe remarks passed between us. He was in
a state of great excitement. When referred
second time to my having seen it, he again, in
high rage, declared that was in gross error;
that the President never wrote such dOcu-
ment that if Gov. Walker, or any other per-
son, pretended to have such document, twas
a mere pretence to cover up perpetrated or
intended treason to the Democratic party, or
mere pretext for deserving to the Republican
ranks. He further added, that if any one at
tackled the Administration on this ground. Ito
use his exact words,) "IVe aciN put shirt up
him from ,chich he ,cW neuer escape"
Gov. WALKER was called before the COM
mittee on the 18th inst, and at first refused
to produce the Presidents letter, but after
the testimony of SCHNABEL was read to
him, showing the declarations of Attorney
General BLACK, he furnished the committee
a copy of the letter. He gave his reasons
for not publishing the letter during the
Lecompton controversy; he was fearful it
would still further excite the public mind,
aud involve consequences which would
imperil the government. He then proceeds
with history of his appointment and adj
ministration in Kansas. He refused the
appointment two or three times verbally,
and once in writing. But
The President considered it the most impor-
tant question in the country, and peculiar and
very flattering reasons were given why should
CO. 1t was said that | was northern man by
birth, and southern man by long residence
and adoption, and perhaps enjoyed the conf
dence of the whole nation, as to my impartial
ity upon this question, and that possibly l
could do more from these peculiar circumstan.
ces to reconcile conflicting elements in Kansas
than any other person. The last person whom
the President sent to me on this subject to urge
me to 60 was Judge Douglas, of the Senate,
who was very earnest and very excited,
and who seemed to regard the success of
the Kansas and Nebraska bill in that Territory
was to great extent dependent upon my con-
senting to GO.
Finally on condition that there should be
a perfect concurrence between Mr.. BUcH
ANAN and himself, upon the policy that was
proper to be adopted in Kansas, Mr.. WALK
Err accepted the Office. His instructions
were drawn, and Mr.. BUCHANAN united with
him in drafting an inaugural address, in
both of which documents the doctrine of
the submission of the Constitution to the
people of Kansas, was fully endorsed and
approved He then states
When l first arrived in Kansas, every effort
entirely abandoned. 1t was universally con-
ceded that it could not be made q slave state
by fair vote of the people, which l thought
was the only way in which it could be properly
made either a slave state or q free state. 1t is
due to frankness and candor for me to say,
though do not desire to introduce politics,
that l certainly was very anxious to make Kan
sas Democratic state, and the only plan to
accomplish it was to unite the free-state Dem.
Gratis with the pro-slavery party, and all those
whom regarded as conservative men, against
the more violent portion of the Republicans
But at the same time determined that would
use no improper means to accomplish this OBJ.
ject but would do it, if / did it at all, boldly
and openly, by legitimate argument, addressed
to the people in written addresses and u cry
numerous addresses upon the stump. md
believe that the object would undoupte diy
have been accomplished if had not been ar
rested in that course, and that Kansas would
unquestionably have been Democratic state.
thought, too, that if the constitution was not
submitted to the people, but was attempted to
be forced upon them against their known will
and so stated in my correspondence with the
President, as you will sect would accomplish
no good object for the slaveh0ding states, be-
cause the people would elect vioent Re ab-
lican legislature, aud that legis -tu1e would
send two very violent Republican, 70 the Sen.
ate of the United Sta tes, and q member of
Congress would be elected enter ain jsg similar
views. No possible object ftr Inc beneft of
the South, or any portion of the Union. could
be attained by forcing the cOust. sation npon
the people against their own will. / believe,
too, and so stated, that such course would
destroy the Democratic party. probably pro.