Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-08-13
THE FAMOUS JEFF DAVIS CORES.
PONDENCE INTERCEPTED In
MISSISSIPPI.
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL LETTER
FROM JAMES BUCHANAN TO JEFF DAVIS.
+ CALLS GENERAL CAMERON "A SCAMP"
BEACREGARD TOLERF DAVIS.
HE APPRECIATES THE GOOD QUALITIES,
ENERGY, COMMERCIAL APTITUDE
AND SHREWDNESS OF THE PEO-
PIE OF THE NORTH

The Journals West have been talking good
deal Of some intercepted correspondence taken
by Den Grants army in Mississippi These
letters wers found by onr troops among the
private papers OF Davis at Jackson, Mississip-
pi. They were placed in the hands Of the ed
itor Of the indianapolis Journal by an officer
OF the army Of Gen. Grant.
JAMES BUCHANAN TO IEFgERsoN DAVIS.
Prrdte aud ConfdeRtioI.l
WHEATLAND, 18TH March, 1850.
MY DEAR SIR: was in town this afternoon,
and, reeeiying yonr letter there, I gave it
hasty answer, provoked thereto by the conduct
Of Cameron.
So far from having in any degree recoiled
pared a letter to sustain ii, written with alithe
little ability OF which am master. You may
ask why 1t has not been published! The an
ton Of the proceedings in Congress, it is clear
that non.intervention Is all that will be re-
quired by the South. Webster's speech is to be
the base OF the compromised is lauded to the
echo by distinguished Southern men-and what
Is 1t. Non.interyen1on, and non-intervendoa
simply because the Wilmot Proviso in not re-
CURED to prevent the curse OF Slavery from
being inflicted on the Territories.
Under these circumstances it would be mad
ness in me to publish my letter, and take
taken for themselves. This would be TO out.
Herod Herod and to be more Southern than
the South. 1t could do no good, bat might do
much mischief,
The truth is the South have got themselves
into a condition on this question from which
1t appears to me that they cannot extricate
themselves. My proposition of the Missouri
Compromise was at once abandoned by them.
and the cry was non-intervention. They fought
the battle at the last Presidential election with
this device upon their banners. The Democra-
cy OF Pennsy iyania are now every where rally
ing TO non intervention. They suppose In do
ing this they are standing by the South in q
manner most acceptable to their Southern
brethren. Our Democrat journals are prais-
ing the speech of Webster, because all the APP
pearances are that it is satisfactory to the
South. 1t is now too late to change front with
honor upon the principle that you can carry
your slaves to California, and hold them their
under the Constitution, and refer the question
to the Supreme Court of the United States /
is the condition in which you are placed.
l say for my own sake, because can never
taken in favor of the Missouri Compromise,
and shall be assailed by fanatics and free
soiiers as long as I live, for having gone fur
sner m support OF the rights OF the South than
committed for the Missouri Compromise, aud
that coinmittal shall stand.
Should there Be any unexpected change in
the aspect Of affairs at Washington which
would hold out the hope that the publication
OF my Missouri Compromise LETTER would do
any good, it.shali yet be published.
i was about to write more; but this letter is
long enough.
Itmay be, and doubtless was the fact, that
in 1870 and $50 nay name was placed on q
committee which reported the resolutions TO
which that scamp, General Cameron, refers
was then q young man, and had great ven
GRAFTON for the chairman Of the committee as
ssn aP . ana WAS
sal in Pennsylvania. first went to Congress
in December, 1921, and throughout my whole
public career have been uniform In malntain-
Ing the Just constitutional rights Of the South.
I have made more speeches on the subject,
both on the floor OF the Senate and at home,
than probably any other man now living. One
of them now enclose to you, marked, which
fell into my hands last evening whilst was
looking for other matters.
wish you would read my speech through
on the veto power. IL IL the only one ever
made which fhily pleases myself.
From your friend very TTespes s IsIGy..x.v
TO Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
PS-Why did not the Southern gentlemen
agree upon common basis of settlementt
Please let me hear from you soon. am nv1ted
70 be ,sere ior % one asg On sas
eth Of ApFI. Would to Heaven that Gen. Tay-
ior mieit come out In favor Of the Missouri
should glory in sustaining
O. 2. BEAuREaARD TO JEFF. DAVIS.
New ORLEANS Feb. H. 1859.
enough at the North to be able to appreciate
fully the good qualities, energy, commercial
aptitude and shrewdness OF its inhabitants.-
hut I for one, Will never SUBMIT tameay IN any
whatever may be Ats advantages,
70 be snubbsd and robbed Of my just rights,
oven at the risk OF LOSING In the contest all that
may be possessed Of. We have, In my hum.
bic opinion, no concessions to make 20 them:
tor to MS che question Of slavery Ia one oflifs or
death; TO them It q one OF fAncy Of political
capital Tbs more wsJdeld 70 their unjust de-
nands tbs more exacting they will become, for 4
increases, ours diainishes, until at beast they
shall hive 6sc6ois 90 strong tAAt they. ~ilia |
sven dsiga % ask. bat will order forthwith the |
OF q measu1e which VIII bling death
And desolation % cur homes But this b d I
question go familiar to your high intelligence
and patriotism that will pursue Il 40 further. |
Hoping that call Will end well that " we'll"
remain, dear SIR, 4
Very respectfully xc.s CT ssry't |
Gen. JeG Davis, U. 8. 6enatos, Washington.
DO. - 4
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