The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-05-10
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN TO HON. R. J,
WALKER.

| WASHINGTON, July IL, 1857.
MY DEAR SIR: duly received your letter Of
the 18th ultimo on Friday last, and read it to
the cabinet, then in session. The news which
it contained was not calculated to assure us of
your success, though we did not despond.
Hence you may judge with what satisfaction
We received an account of the proceedings of
the National Democratic convention held at Lee
compton on the Sd inst. The point on which
your and our success depends is the submission
OF the constitution to the people Of Kansas
And by the people mean, and have no
doubt you mean, the actual bona .fde resi-
dents, who have been long enough in the
Territory to identify themselves with its fate.
The legislature determined three months as
the period ofresidence to entitle individuals to
vote for members of the convention and if
me convention should think proper to adopt
the same period to entitle individuals to
vote for or against the constitution, it appears
lion Of submitting the constitution to the bona
tide resident settlers Of Kansas am willing 10
stand or fall. 1t is the principle of the Kansas
Nebraska bill-the principle Of popular sover-
eighty, and the principle at the foundation of
all popular government. The more it is dis
cussed the stronger it will become. Should
the convention OF Kansas adopt this principle
all will be settled harmoniously; and, with
the blessing Of providence, you will return tri-
|
responsible mission. The structures of the Gcor-
ga and Mississippi conventions will then pass
away and be speedily forgotten.
In regard to Georgia, our news from the
State is becoming better every day. We have
not yet had time to hear much from Mississippi.
Should you answer the resolution Of the lat
ter, would advise you to make the great princi-
Pile Of the submission of the constitution to the
bona fde residents of Kansas conspicuously promi-
nent. On this you will be irresistible With
the question OF climate every person is acquain-
ted !; and the more you insist upon this, the
more will our opponents urge that we are viola
ting the principle of noil-interference at the
foundation Of the kansas-Nebraska law. 1t is
strange that people at n 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 sustain, the Constitution and
the laws, composed Of pro-slavery and free
State democrats and If the majority should
be against slavery, to obtain such constitu-
tional provisions as will secure the rights of
Shareholders in Missouri and other States, and
maintain all the laws guarding the just rights
of the South.
You are rightin your conjecture as to the
cause of Judge Williams appointment. We
supposed it would be peculiarly acceptable to
yourself, and that he might aid in carrying out
your policy. Col. Cumming has been appoint
ted governor of Utah. This will leave his
place vacant. niter tie brief period required for
settling up bis business; and shall certainly
be disposed to fill it by the appoin tment Of Mr..
Stevens.
Gen. Harvey has been selected to command
the expedition TO Utah but we must contrive
to leave him with you 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. l
pray that Divine Providence, in which place
my trust. may graciously preserve my life and
my health until the end ofmy term but Gods
holy will be done in any event: With every
sentiment of esteem, remain always sincerely
your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. ROBERT ]. WALKER.