Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-06-21

Mr.. DAVIS, VINO Is not aware at this
writing of the existence of this letter,
or of its contemplated publication:
WOOD COTE, MISS,
June II, 1870.
Editors Appeal: The weekly Louis.
vile Courier Journal, of the 10Th inst.
| contains an extract from the second
volume of MI. Stephens History Of
| the War, which calls for some COM
ment. The passage alluded to is in
these words: "TOombs was to have
been chosen President, but failed
through a singular misapprehension
| on the part of representatives of other
| States, who had understood that he
refused to have his name put forward.
There was some misunderstanding
likewise, concerning Howell Cobb be-
ing the choice of Georgia. BY acct
dental complications Mississippi had
the first choice, and chose Jefferson
Davis, leaving Georgia the second,
which resulted in the Vice Presidency
of Mr.. Stephens"
There is great error in this state
ment, unintentional no doubt, and
induced to some extent by the mod
eSty of Mr.. Stephens, which makes
him unwilling to give that prOmi-
hence to himself, which really belongs
to him.
1 was at the time n member of the
Provisional Congress from Mississippi.
Believing that Mr.. Davis was the
choice of the South for the position of
President, before repairing to Mont
gOmery, l addressed him a letter to
ascertain if he would accept it. He
replied that it was not the place he
desired: that, if he could have his
choice, he would greatly prefer to be
in active service Is cOmmander-i in
chief of the army, but that he would
give himself to the cause in any capa-
city whatever. That was the only
letter, of which l have any knOwl-
edge, that he wrote on the subject,
and that was shown to only "A very
few persons, and only when l was
asked if Mr.. Davis would accept the
Presidency.
intend no injustice or d~isresDect to
any of the gentlemen named, but l
am sure Mr.. Stephens vas himself the
first choice Of Georgia. There was no
electiOneering, no management on the
part of any one, each voter was left to
determine for himself in whose hands
the destinies of the infant Confeder-
acy should be placed. By a law as
fixed as gravitation itself, and as little
disturbed by outside influences, the
minds of members centred upon Mr..
Davis.
After a few days of anxious and in
tense labor the provisional constitu-
ton was framed, and it became neces-
sary to give it vitality by putting
some one at the head of the new gov
eminent. Then Mr.. Crawford, Of
Georgia, approached me and said that
it had been the wish of that State to
make Mr.. Stephens President, but he
(CrawfOrd) had become satisfied that
it was the wish of all the other States
that Mr.. Davis should be assigned to
that position. He then asked me if
Mr.. Stephens would be acceptable to
the Mississippi delegation as Vice
President. | replied that l believed
he would be their choice. Without
any effort on the part of the friends of
the election was made without
the slightest dissent. OF the acct
complications referred to, l have
not the least knowledge, and always
thought that the election of Mr.. Davis
arose from the spontaneous conviction
of his peculiar fitness. l have con
no one on the subject, aud have
appended my name, only to avoid
an important fact upon anony-
nous authority.
Very respectfully, yours,
ALIEN. NJ. CLAYTON.