White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-07-26
President Buchanan's Letter to Rob.
ert J. Walker.
WAsHINaToN. a

WAsHISaToS, April 10.
The much talked-of letter of the Pres
ident to Robert j. Walker, while Gov
ernor of Kansas, was brought out by the
Covode investigating Committee, and
annexed is the document in full
WASHINGTON, July 10. 1857.
My DEAR Sin : l duly received your
letter Of the 2Sth nit, on Friday last,
and read it to the Cabinet, then in SEES
sion. The views which it contained were
not calculated to assure US of your sue
cess. though we did not despond. Hence
you may Judge with what satisfaction an
account Of the proceedings of the Ma
tional Democratic Convention, held at
Lecompton OH the Sd inst, was received.
The point on which your own success de-
ponds, is the submission Of the ConSti
tuition to the people of Kansas and by
the people mean. and l have no doubt
you mean, the actual bona tele residents,
who have been long enough in the Terri
tory to identify themselves with its fate
The Legislature determined three months
as the period to entitle individuals to vote
for or against the Constitution.
1t appears to me this would be reason
able. On the question of submitting the
Constitution to bona fide residents Of
Kansas, l am willing to stand or fall. 1t
is the principle of the Kansas Nebraska
Bill the principle ofPOPULAR SOW
EREIGNPY, and the principle at the
foundation of all popular Governments.
The more it Is discussed the stronger it
will become. Should the Convention
adopt this principle all will be settled
harmoniously, and, with the blessing of
Providence, you will return triumphantly
from your arduous, important and re-
sponsible station. The structures of the
Georgia and Mississippi Convention will
then pass away and be forgotten. In re-
gard 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 res
olution of the latter, would advise you
to make the great principle Of the sub
mission Of the Constitution to bona fide
residents of Kansas conspicuously prom
inent. On this you will be irresistible.
With the question of climate. every
person is acquainted and the more you
insist upon this the less will our oppo-
nents urge that we are violating the prin-
ciples of non interference as the founda
ton Of the Kansas Nebraska Bill. It 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. It is
beyond all question the true policy to
build up great Democratic party there
to maintain the Constitution and laws,
composed of Pro- Slavery and Free State
Democrats, and if the majority should be
against Slavery, to obtain such consti-
tutional provisions as will secure the
rights Of shareholders in Missouri and
other States, and maintain all laws gnar-
ding 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 &C.
ceptable to yourself, and that he might
aid in carrying out your policy.
/ COI. Onm ming HAS Oecu aPPOinuou
Governor of Utah. This will cause his
place 10 be vacant after the brief period
required for settling mp his business. and
certainly shall be disposed to fill it BY
the appointment of Mr.. Stevens. Gen
Harvey has been ordered to command
the expedition to Utah, but we must con
triye to have him with you, at least unti
you are out Of the woods. Kansas i
vastly more important at the present mo
ment than Utah. The pressure upon m
continues without intsSmission. | pra,
that the Divine Providence in which
place my trust, may graciously preserv
! my life and health until the end of m,
/. term but Gods will be done in an
event
! With every sentiment Of esteem. l re
5 main always sincerely yours,
(Sigued, JAMES BUcHlSAS.
D 70 Hon. Robt J.. Walker, Governs
II