Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-04-20

Interesting Developments before Covode's
Investigat ting COmmittee-Secret History
of the LecOmpton business.
The testimony elected by John Covode's
investigating committee, the present week,
throws some new light on the infamous bust
ness in which the administration was engaged
in Kansas, during tile year 1857. On Tues.
day last, Gov. Robert j. Walker was before the
committee, and was ASKED to produce the let,
ter of instruction furnished by the president
at the time Of his appointment. He declined
at first, with much decision, declaring his pur
pose to go to Jail rather than surrender the
letter. Subsequent testimony was introduced
to the effect that Attorney General Black had
denied the existence of such letter, and had
thrown out a defiance to Gov. Walker to pro-
duce it. On the following day, the 18th, Gov.
Walker was again summoned, and in selfjus.
tiication, made clear and lucid statement, of
considerable length, in relation to the
history of the Lecompton constitution, and
the presidents connection with it. The sum
of his statement was that previous to his de.
parture for Kansas, the policy which he pro-
posed to adopt, and which included the sub.
mission of the Lecompton constitution to the
people, was agreed upon fully between himself
and Mr. Buchanan; that no dissent was ex
pressed by the president afterward, to ind
cate anything but distinct and continuous
approval of that policy; that the agents of the
administration in Kansas sustained him in it
till near the time the vote was to be taken
when lie was approached by John Calhoun,
president of the convention, and heard from
his lips the infamous programme in regard to
slavery which was afterward carried out. Cal.
houn stated that it was the programme OF the
administration, that Mr.. Buchanan assented to
it, and that high and lucrative offices were
open to him (Walker) if he would assist in
carrying it out. Previous to this interview
with Calhoun, governor Walker had received
the following letter from the president, which
is now for the first time published
WASHINGTON, July u, 1857
MY DEAR SIR:-rhe point on which your and
our depends is the submission of the consti-
tuition to the people, aud by the people mean, and
have no doubt you mean the actual bona fde resi-
oents who have been long enough in the territory
70 identity themselves with its fate The legislature
determined three months the period Of residence
W en,tie individuals to vote for members of the
SVnNehuohi and If the convention should think
wVper 10 ADOPT the same period to entite indyid-
na ~ VOC ior or against the constitution it APP
pear 70 me this would be reasonable ON the oues
resident 'S,1ng the constitution to the bona fde
ca In s,.t 81 hansas am willing to stand or
,aii N sustaining such princple We capnot fail
nrinci ,e pflncple Of the biIl the
a. The pSpaar sovereignty, and the principle
mo's q . discussed me stronger ,oi become Sbond
tne covehon Of Kansas adopt this principle o VIII
pe setileu haIhonouslyi and. with the blessin" or
Providence you will return triumpIantIv Sosa nE ~
ardnousl Important, responsible inission Ths s,v;e
lures of the Georgia and Mississippi e
then pass awaytO be speedily Forgotten IL MI
Georgia our news from that state becoming bet,n
every day: we have not yet had time TO hear ,nuei
from Mississippi Should you answer the resoI,,, u
of the latter, would advice you to make the n
principle OF the submission OF the constitution q ~
bona iide residents of Kansas conspcuoufly promi
nent On this you will be irresistible With m,
question OF climate every person Is acquainted an,