Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-26

\ programme WHICH was D0aify dQOpfeQ II
Kansas, was the programme of the Admins
/ tration. ] stated that l never would assent
| 10 it, and gave various reasons. / stated.
/ in the first place, that had openly pledged
myself 10 the people of Kansas. declaring
| that was so authorized by the President, so
far my power and that of the Government
| would avail. that this constitution should be
| submitted fairly TO their vote for Tatifiation
or rejection; that had by these pledges. on
which they relied. induced them to suspend
| putting the Topeka State Government into
operation. which undoubtedly would have
been done. and that it would b. dishonorahle
in me 10 forfeit these pledges, and that could
| not do IL.
Is-ated that, although insisted that the
Kansas and Nebraska bill required that the
| constitution itself should be submitted to the
vote of the people, yet il they wonld make a
| good constitution and submit the slavery
question distinctly by itself to fair vote of
! the people, although il did not correspond
with my views, yet would not interfere; but
that the particular programme which they
| proposed 10 adopt did not ubmit the ques-
ton of slavery To the people of Kansas; that
it only submitted it TO those constituting a
small minority, " DO were in favor of the con-
! stIiutlOu; because the vote was limited to
vote tor the constitution with slavery, and fer
the constitution without slavery, and those
who We're opposed to the constitution were
not permitted TO vote at all; therefore L con-
| sidered such submission of the question
vile fraud, a base counterfeit and a wreiched
| device 10 prevent the people voting even on
! that question. / said to him that not only
would not support il, but would denounce
| 10, no matter whether the Administration sus-
tanned il or moi; and l always have de-
nounc d il, and shall ever continue 10 do So
1t is due 10 irankness TO say that, when
CAME on here in November, 1857, the Presi-
dent himself distinctly and emphatically as
1 sured me that he had not authorized any
body 10 say that be had approved of that
programme. l told him that such being The
case l could not but believe that some Inein-
Der OF the Administration. or some p rson in
high authority, enjoying Its confidence, must
| have given those assurances. or Mr.. Calhoun
would not have made the Communication that
| he bad To me, aud also changed his own
course upon the subject, for MIR. Ca houn had
been The distinguished and special leader oil
| the Douglas party ill Kansas, and was sup
| posed TO have been appointed Surveyor Gen
erai upon Judge Douglas recommendation
| tie (Judge Douglasl certainly requested me
| to have him lCaihUuHl retained, assuring me
! that he would support the submission of the
| constitution to the vote oil the people, as he
| did until late period. When Mr.. Calhoun
! made this communication to me he requested
me not to mention it TO Mr.. Stanton the Sec
I L
| never have done SD. Nor should have COM
municai ed IL TO you, except as necessary 10
my yIndlcatlon from the testimony you have
shown Inc to-day. Ii il also due to irankness
| to further say that / am fully impressed with
| the conviction that the President himself did
not get up this programme, though l do be-
| lieye it was gotten up by some of the Admin
istration or others high In authority.
l feel very serious embarrassment about
this question of producing the letter. 1 had
refused yesterday 10 produce it, and really
aud sincerely think with all proper respect
| Tor this committee, that you have right to
demand il OF me; and certainly should not
have produced the letter but for the teSt.mU-
ny you have taken to-day, and p,cialy the
defiance that Is thrown out 10y the President.
aud the suggestion that l have been exhibit
ing letter that does not exist, and the init
nation that even il ii does exist | dare not
produce ii. Gentlemen, that Is false for |
have always reserved the right TO produce
| this letter and publish it when and where,
aud as pleased, and l have never made the
| slightest suggestion 10 the contrary to any
human being, nor have L given any promise
or pledge i'll relation to it whatever
l SUPPOSE that this testimony which you
have shown nIe to-day will he given TO the
public!
Mi. Olin-That is our intention.
The Chairman-At the proper time; when
We get through our investigation.
Mr.. RoblnsOn-lt will all be made public.
Mr.. Walker-It seems, then, that not only
are these Intimations oil Judge Black such as
L regard as affecting my honor, and which,
were l now TO remain silent, would produce
most erroneous aid unjust impressions against
me upon the public mind, which / could new
er remove; and IL lie also perhaps due TO the
President himself, lnasmuch you have
proved The letter 10 great extent 10y the
testimony of witnesses who have seen il, to
make public this letter, although l assure
you that l do it with the most intense rcluc-
tunce, not nom any considerations personal
to myself, but irom considerations of a public
character. But the statements wbicI you
have shown me, ii any Injurious effects To the
country are To he produced al pr, sent, " ould
perhaps be quite as complete from the vei-
sion sworn 80 as the letter itself. L thiuk the
letter has now become public letter. 1t
contents are proved before you. and these
must be published. Besides, the President has
also expressed, not 10 me, but To Others, bis
Willingness tuat | should publish II. l am
not restrained, then. by any SENSE OF honor
from Publishing this letter now, although,
Tor the reasons that have stated to you, L
would not have given il To you, and L had
made up my mInd to 20 to jail even under
the order ot the House sooner than have sub
mitied this letter 10 you. But think, in the
10 produce the letter-my duty to myself,
aud perhaps to the President, and / now do
produce IL. 1t II not marked private or con-
hdential, AZ you will observe.
Mar. Walker here produced the letter. which
he handed to tie committee, who examined
IL.
Mr.. Olin-Is this letter in the handwriting
of the President!
Answer-Il If all in the handwriting of the
President nf lp let "a !
the signature. l do not wish TO part with
this letter, but will read il 50 that your Clerk
can take il down.
The witness then read the letter from Mr..
Buchanan, dated the 18th OF July, 1857.
The Chairman-What was the occasion of
this letter being sent To you!
Answer.-Tne occasion of twas TO reply
TO my letter. Mir. BUCHANAN says, 81 duly re-
ceived your letter OF the 18th ult., on Friday
last aud read it TO the Cabinet ihrn in ses-
sion" This letter vas in reply 10 mine OF
the 2S,h oi June, 1851, and inasmuch "a L
have produced the letter of the President, l
wish the opportunity to produce my letter
10 which this is the reply, and have not got
il here, but 1 will get it with all due dispatch
If can. i think have copy OF il, and II L
have, ask the privilege Oi putting it ON re-
cOId here.
The Chairman.-Ceriainly; you are enti-
tied TO thai.
Mr.. Walker.-The President. in what he
says about climates. does not refer TO my III
auguTal at all. for we were perfectly agreed
about that. he referred TO what L said about
the climate Ia Kansas and observations OF
The thermometer, If remember Alright. which
| gave him ia my private letter Of 2sth OF
June. 1851, To which his was reply, show
ing hiatt WIS excessively cold there, aud
unit for slayery--as cold ~ the average OF
! NeA England.
Mr.. Ohn.--Haye you any knowledge as to
where this device la The constitution, 10 rel
| oreuee To submission, was gotten up.
| Al believe il WIS 20 ten up In Washing