Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-12
Reply of Daniel SCulIY.

lIEAN OiFIH- Aug. -, loOU
Sir: In reply to your note of yesterday. cheer
fully lay before you such information as l possess
pertinent to the inquiry you propose.
! was an officer of the LecomptOn Convention
from my position, necessarily, a watchful observer
of It's proceedings, and | became somewhat con-
versant with the influences brought 10 TO
SWAY its determinations touching the questions of
submission and non-submission Of the Constitution.
The Convention first met early in September,
1851 and having elected officers and appointed com
mttees adjourned the latter part of October. 1t
was given out that the object to aw ait the re-
suit of the Territorial elections, which to take
place early in October. and 20 shape the conduct of
the Convention accordingly but the main purpose of
the recess was to allow time to ascertain the views
OF Democrats holding influential places IN the coun
ellis of the country.
When the re-assembage took place and the sub
iect OF the disposition Of the Constitution interme
dately between the Convention and Congress. came
up It was found that the body divided into
three parties in favor of sending the inStru-
ment direct to Congress the second IN favor Of
submission of the whole instrument to the people ;
and the third in favor of submitting the slavery
clause only.
1t was understood that Governor Walker and Sec
rotary Stanton were in favor of an entire submis
sion. 1t very naturally supposed that they re-
presented the views wishes OF the Admlnistra-
ton. The partial submission party was led by
General Calhoun, the President OF the Convention.
reported to be faYoritc of Mr.. Douglas, possessed
ana the scheme generally known as the Doug
las PLAN
After protracted and acrimonious debate. the
question was put on the 9TH 9th Of November,
and the observation-disclosures triumphed by or two
votes. By extraordinary eXertlOn a recOnsidcra-
ton was had the 9TH, the day of final adjourn
ment, and the plan of submission, through which
the Constitution went before Congress- carried
by bare majority.
On the evening of the day on which the non-sub-
vic
me to endeavor TO secure for his side member,
since dead Mr.. Swift of Jefferson county, who had
previously voted against the submission and over
whom it was supposed | could exercise some lntiu-
ence In the course of our conversation, Gen. Cal
houn informed me that he had in possession letter
from Mr.. Douglas, either suggesting the project OF
partial submission, giving assurance Of his sup
port to it, do dot recOleCt which.
Since the death of Gen. Calhoun, | have had sew
eral conversations with Mr., Oliver DiefendrOf, his
brothcr-in-law-who manifested with him and his
family all the intimacy such relationship bespeaks-
the subject Of that letter. and upon every occasion
Mr. Defendorf referred to the letter as being among
the papers Of the deceased in the possession OF his
family. | have more than once expressed my sur
prise that man of spirit, supposed Gen. Calhoun
to have been, should have silently submitted to the
gross indignity put upon him in the Senate by Mr.
Douglas, and Mr. DiefendrOf has challenged my re.
spect for the deceased by answering that very few
knew the nice sence of honor he had that he con-
sIdered the correspondence private, and would have
submitted to anything rather than violated that
privacy.
If formal investigation of this affair should be
determined upon permit me to suggest that you adj
dress to every member of the Convention, and par
tIcularly those who voted with Gen. Calhoun on the
submission issue. l would also indicate for your
consideration, the propriety Of communication with
Col Andrew J. Isacks of this city. Though not a
member Of the Convention, he was present during
the whole struggle submission; he zealously la
bored with Gen Calhoun for the form adopted, and,
like him, was an ardent friend Of Mr. Douglas, pu-
tatIvely representing his views.
Having thus laid before you all the knowledge
have in this connection, remain,
Your Obedent servent.
DANIEL SCULLY.
LOUIS BURSEs, ESQ.,, President of the Democratic
Association of LeaVenworth