Senator John C. Calhoun to James H. Hammond,* February 16, 1850

Washington 16th Feb: 1850

MY DEAR SIR, It affords me much pleasure to state, that my health is entirely restored and my strength in a great measure. I intend to resume my seat in the Senate tomorrow, and hope to take part in the debate on the great question of the day now pending in the Senate by the end of the week. The discussion before it closes will cover the whole issue between North and South; and, I trust, it will be of a character to satisfy the South, that it cannot with safety remain in the Union, as things now stand and that there is little or no prospect of any change for the better. The tone of the Southern Senators, with the exception of Clay, Benton, Houston and a few others is high. There is an increasing disposition to resist all compromises and concessions and to agree to nothing, that will not settle the entire issue between the two sections on the ground for which we contend. There is, I think, little prospect, that the North will come to our terms or that any settlement of the questions at issue will be agreed on. That I think is the general impression. The impression is now very general, and is on the increase, that disunion is the only alternative, that is left us.

I regret greatly to learn, that you cannot take Washington on your way to Nashville. I regard it of great importance you should, even if your stay should be short. A few days would put you in full possession of the state of things here, which I regard as very desirable. Without flattery, I know no one better informed, than you are, on the great subject that now agitates the country, or more capable of deciding what should be done, with the knowledge you would acquire of the state of things here, or of preparing whatever papers the Convention may think proper to put out. It is, indeed, highly desirable, that at least two members from each of the delegations, should visit Washington on their way to Nashville, in order to consult freely with the members from the South who are true to her.

I trust you may be induced to reconsider your conclusion. The reasons you assigned for it, are, indeed, strong; but they cannot be stronger than those in favour of the opposite conclusion. Never before has the South been placed in so trying a situation, nor can it ever be placed in one more so. Her all is at stake.

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* Original lent by Mr. E. S. Hammond.

SOURCE: J. Franklin Jameson, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1899, Volume II, Calhoun’s Correspondence: Fourth Annual Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission, Correspondence of John C. Calhoun, p. 781-2