National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-05
FRANK PIERCE.
a Letter that He Wrote to JeR Davis In
IS6n

Mr.. j. 2. Jenness, of Smithland, has
placed US under many obligations for an original
copy of letter in manuscript written by the late
franklin Pierce, President of the United States,
to his friend the Hon. Jefferson Davis The letter
was captured during the war in the South by a
brother of Mr.. Jenness', Major J. C. Jenness, as
sistant adjutant- general On the staff of General
Hardin, of New Hampshire, who was in command
of portion of the Eastern army. OF the general
contents of the document and value because of its
associations the reader can judge, and can well
afford TO perISe the following, rerbdtim ct Hterdtim
CLARENDON HOTEL, Jan. 6, 1860.
NY DEAR FRIEND: wFete you an unSatisfac-
tory note day or two since, l have Just had
pleasant Interview with Mr.. Shipley, whose cour-
age ana fidelity are equal to his learning and
talents. lie says he would rather fight the battle
with you as the standard-bearer in 1880 than
under any other leader. The feeling and iudg-
ment OF Mr.. s. in this section is, am confident
rapidly gaining ground in New England. Our
people are rapidly looking for the 81 coming maj"
1ene who is raised by all the elements, of his
breathed by politicians; a man really fitted for
this exigency by his ability, courage, broad states
manship. and patriotism.
colonel Seymour Thomas h arrived here this
morning, and expressed his views in this relation
Shipley.
1t is true that in the present state Of things at
Washington and throughout the country no man
can predict what changes two OR three months
may Dflng fOfth.1 Let me suggest that IN the
- debates in Congress full Justice seems TO me
not TO have been done to the Democracy of the
North. l do not believe that our friends at the
South have any just idea of the state of feeling,
hHrrying at this moment to the pitch of
intense evaporation, between those who re-
spect their political obligations and those
who have apparently no fInpelling power but
that which fanatcal passion or the subject
of domestic slavery iIRparts without discussing the
question of right, of abstract power, to secede.
have never believed that actual disruption of the
Union can occur without blood. And if, through
the madness of Northern abolitiOnism, that dire
calamity must come, the fighting viii not be along
Mason and Dixon's line merely; 1t Will be within
classes of citizens to whom Ihaye referred. Those
who defy law and scout constitutional obligations
will, five ever reach the arbitrament of arms
find occupation enough at home. Nothing but the
state Of Mrs Pierce'S health would induce me TO
leave the country now, although il is quite likely
that my presence at home would be of little SER
vice. -...-.---. -.- f--... z=s...-
have tried TO impress upon our people, es-
pecially in New Hampshire and Connecticut
where the only elections are TO take place during
the coming spring, that while our Union meetings
are all in the right direction and well enough for
the present, they viii not be worth the paper on
overthrow political abolitionism at the polls and
repeal the unconstitutional and obnoxious laws
which. in the cause of personal liberty, have
been placed upon our statute books.
shall look with deep interest, and not with
out hope, for decided change in this relation.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
The Hon. JEFF Davis, Washington, D. C.
--HdO5etGR (LG-l Press.