The Placer herald., 1865-02-25
n important letter Of Mr. Jefferson 5
Brought to Light.

John G. Breckenridge 1t is dated Monticel-
10. August l2th, 1908, while he was i'resI'
dent If tho Uuiled States. It was written
while the question of the purchase OF the
Louisiana Territory from France was before
the Senate and the people. In reviewing
some OF the objections which bad been mS"e
to the measures, MIR. Jefferson said:
These Federaists sec in this acquisition,
the formation OF new Confederary, EN-
bracino all the waters of the Mississippi, on
both sides of it, and separation of lis east
ern waters Of the Mississippi from us. These
combinations depend on so many clrcnm-
stances which we cannot ioresee, that place
little reliance on them. Wo have seldom
seen nejghborhood produce affection among
nations. The reverse is almost tho universal
truth. Besides, If it should become the
great interest OF those nations to separate
from this if their happiness should depend
on it SO strongly as to induce them to 90
through that convusjon, why should the
Atlantic States dread It? Bat especially,
why should We, the present Inhabitants, take
sides in such question: When v'ew the
Atlantic States, procuring for those on the
eastern waters Of the Mississippi friendly
instead OF hostile neiehbors on It's waters,
do not view it as an Englishman would the
procuring future blessings for the French
nation, with whom he has no relations OF
/ blood or affection. Tho future Inhabitants
of the Atlantic and Mississippi States will
be our sons. We leave them in distinct but
bordering establishments. We think we
see their happiness in their union, and wo
wish ii. Events may prove it otherwise;
aul il they sec their interest in separation,
why should we take sides with our Atlantic
rather tban our Mississippi descendants! II
is the elder and younger son differing. God
bless them both, and keep them in the union,
if ii be for their eood bat separate them, if
it he better
This shows that President Jefferson favor
ed peaceful division Of the Union rather
than an attempt to preserve it by force. No
democrat, no genuine disciple Of the great
author of the Declaration of Independence,
will take issue on that point.
Jefferson was opposed to great, splendid
and consolidated governments; ho wIs for
coping il face to face with the people, and
to maintain under all circumstances, even at
the peril Of separation, the great principle
that governments are Instituted solely for
the benefit Of the governed; and that they,
the governed, are the only judges of the fact
departure from which, in his estimation,
and according to all the teachings of history,
is always sure to lead to tyranny and oppres-
sion. From the day Of Jefferson to the day
Of Lincoln, it was The recognized doctrine Of
this country. And no nation in tho world
ever uu(ullod banner Of sef-government,
bet secured the sympathie5 and encourage
ment not only Of the statesmen of this coun
try, bat Of the people and tho Government.
Greece, Poland, Mexico the republics Of
South America and even Texas when it sep
arated from McXjco-indoed, all received the
sy'npathes Of The people and government.
Why was this So? Was it because we have
been IN favor Of disrupting existing govern
ments? Far from IT, It was because We
recognized and were carrying out the great
doc rines Of self fgovernment-the very cor
ner-stone Of our political edifce.
Cncinaoti Eaqaiv.
! PUNISHMENT FOR TREASON Tlumbull
called up the bill to regulate proceedings
in criminal cases, relating especially to the
punishment of the crime Of treason, which
was passed,
Il provides that where tho o(lense charged
be treason and is Il capital offense the
defendant shall be entitled to twenty and the
United States TO five perenrptory challenges;
on fiat for any other otiense the United
States shall be entitled TO two peremptory
challenges, and the defendant to ten. Where
any person convicted of an otlense against
the United States shall be sentenced to
Imprisonment for period longer than one
year, it shall be lawful for the court by
which the sentence is passed to order the
same to be executed in any State prison or
penitentiarv within the district or State
where such court is held, the use Of which
prison or penitentiary is allowed by tho
Legislature Of such State for such purpose;
and the expenses attending the execution of
the sentence shall be paid by the United
States. The act takes effect on the first Of
June, 1865.
MRs LINcoLN's EscApE.-We find the
following interesting statomen. in the Ma
tional Inteligencer of Wednesdays:
II is estimated that at least 1000 persons
visited tie Presidents mansion during the
; day. AT half past two o'clock the jam was
terrible, and many pressed so determlnedly
to gain admitance that several ladies and
l. L.. ,i. Ii