RALEIGH, N. C., November 28th, 1851.
MY DEAR SIR: Detained here, for a few hours, waiting for the Stage to
take me to Fayetteville on my route to Columbia and Charleston, I fulfill a
purpose which I designed to have done before I left home.
The first volume of Mr. Calhoun's Works is now published, containing his
views on Government, and the Constitution. It is so inconvenient for me to
attend to the publication of the remaining volumes, in South Carolina, that I
propose, if it can be done on fair terms, to change the place to Richmond. Nash
and Woodhouse are anxious to establish an extensive Publishing House in this
City, and I [am] desirous to get their works to commence with. Now putting
aside the question of real or individual interest, I am quite sure they would
undertake the publication of the remaining volumes, as well as a large edition
of the present, if they could have some assurance that they would not sustain
an actual loss. To provide against this they propose to go on to Washington to
consult with some of Mr. Calhoun's old friends in regard to the probabilities
of a subscription on the part of Congress.
Now on this point, I wish to speak to you in all frankness. I am
confident that the work now published must, if not generally, exercise a
powerful [influence] on public opinion throughout the Union. It cannot be
otherwise. A few, and these prominent Whigs, to whom I have loaned the single
volume I have, have openly and publicly declared that its views and arguments
are unmeasurable. A similar declaration was made to me by a leading Whig in New
York, who had the Proofs last Spring.
The work on the Constitution will do more, I verily believe, to build up
the Republican Party, and preserve the Union, than any, and all other causes
combined. All that is necessary to effect a great and radical change in public
sentiment in regard to State Rights is, to give this Work a wide circulation.
Congress, or even the Senate (of which he was so long a member) might do this.
But you know the inflexible opposition which Mr. Calhoun ever entertained to
this miserable traffic on the part of the Government, in the papers of dead
politicians one of his last injunctions to me was, never to have his Papers put
up at auction in the Capitol; and his family have since strictly enjoined on me
not to violate his wishes. I mean not to do this, but there is a difference, a
wide difference between offering the manuscript to Congress on sale, and a
subscription on the part of that body to a work or works published by myself or
by any one else. In the latter case Congress does not become the owner or
publisher, but simply the purchaser of so many copies, to be used as it may
deem proper. So important do I regard the circulation of this Book, that I
would willingly tread thus far on the injunctions of the Author, should such an
arrangement amount to this. It does not strike me, however, in this light. The
Library Committee will, of course order one or more copies. The use will be for
the public. The principle involved in the two cases is the same. At least, it
so appears to me. True, the family of Mr. Calhoun will be benefitted in
proportion to the number of copies sold. This is incidental and applies to the
author or proprietor of every book. I can not, and ought not to be indifferent
to this, tho' they seem to be; for they were perfectly willing to present the
manuscripts gratuitously to the State of South Carolina, if it would see them
faithfully and properly printed and published. This I would not consent that
they should do. They are not more than scantily independent; and I was
unwilling to see the literary labours as well as the public services of their
Father pass to the Country, without some compensation. In what I now write I
have consulted with none of them, but act upon my own responsibility. It seems
to me that Congress ought to subscribe for a large number of Copies, and
through the members to distribute them amongst the people. Will you give me
your opinions on the subject at your earliest leisure. You can consult with
other friends; and let me hear from you, if possible, on my return to Richmond,
say Tuesday the 9th of next month. It will be important for me to have them at
that time, as it might facilitate my arrangements with Nash and Woodhouse. I
write in haste as the stage is at the door.
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