Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-24
COPY OF THE CELEBRATED LETTER OF PRESI-
DENT BUCHANAN To HON. ROBERT j. WALK
Err. WHEN GOVERNOR OF KANSAS.


MY DEAR SIR: duly received your letter OF the 2Sth
ut on Friday last and read it to the Cabinet then in
session The views which it contained were not calcu-
lated to assure of your success though we dd not
despond. Hence you may judge with what satisfaction
we received an account Of the proceedings OF the Ma
tona Democratic Convention held at Lecompton on the
sd inst
The point on which your own success depends IS the
submission of the constitution to the people OF Kansas
and bv the people ] mean, and | have no doubt you
mean the actual bona fe residents who have been long
enough in the Territory identify themselves with its
fate The Legislature determined three months as the
period of residence to entitc individuals to vote for
members OF the conventions and il the convention should
think proper to adopt the period to enute ndvl-
duas to for against the constitution, appears
to me this would be reasonable.
On the question of submitting the constitution to the
bona fle residents of Kansas, am willing to stand or
fall Il is the principle of the Kansas Nebraska law the
principle of popular sovereignty and the principle OF the
foundation OF all popular government. The more II Is
discussed the stronger it will become Should the con
vention Of Kansas adopt this principle, all will be settled
harmouiously and with the blessing of Providence you
will return triumphantly from your arduous, important
and responsible station The structures OF the Georgia
and Mississippi conventions will then pass away, aud 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 con-
titutou to the bona tide residents Of Kansas conspcu
ously prominent. On this you will be irresistible
With the question Of climate every person acquaint
ed and the more you insist upon this the more will our
opponents urge that we are violating the principle of non
interference at the foundation of the Kansas and Nebras
ka bill 1t is strange that people at distance who have
no practical acquaintance with the condition Of Kansas
should undertake be wiser than those the spot 1t
is beyond all question the true policy to build up great
Democratic party there to maintain the Constitution and
laws composed of pro,savery and freeState Democrats
and If the msority should be against slavery to obtain
such constitutional provisions will secure the rights OF
Shareholders in Missouri and the other States aud main
tain 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 1t would
be reculry acceptable Yourself and that he might
aid in CARRYING out your policy. Col Cumming has been
appointed Governor of Utah This will cause his place
to- be vacant after the brief period required for settling
I'D his business, and certainly shall be disposed TO bill
t bv the appointment Of Mr.. Stevens Gen. Harvey has
been ordered to command the expedition 10 Utah; but
we must coutrye to have min with you, at least until you
are out of the woods Kansas Is vastly more important
at the present moment than Utah
The pressure upon me continues without intermission
pray the Divine Providence, in which place my trust
may cracou,ly preserve my life and my health until the
end Of nv term Bat Gods will be done, in any.event
With every sentiment Of esteem, remain, always
Sincerely yours,