Washington 23d July 1848
MY DEAR SIR, I
received in the regular course of the Steamer yours of the 27th of June, and
Anna's to her mother of the same date. I would have answered your's [sic] immediately, but was prevented by
the pressure of my official engagements, as a member of the Committee, raised
to settle the question of Slavery, as it relates to our recently acquired
territory. After a laborious effort of more than a week, the Committee,
consisting of 8 members, 4 from each party, and 2 from each division of the
party, North and South, selected by their respective Sections, agreed on a
bill, with scarcely a division, which is now under discussion in the Senate,
with a fair prospect of passing by a large majority; and which I hope will
permanently settle this vexed and dangerous question. The settlement is based
on the principle of non interference, as laid down in my speech on the Oregon
territorial bill, of which I send you a copy accompanying this. It was found,
after trying every other, that it was the only one, on which there was the
least chance of adjusting it. It is regarded here, as a great triumph on my
part. A trial vote in the Senate yesterday, stood 37 in favour of the bill against
17 opposed. The opposition is mainly composed of the Supporters of Mr Van
Beuren.
As to the
Presidential election, it is very doubtful, and will probably remain so, to the
last. There is no enthusiasm about it. There are great objections to both candidates.
The progress of
events in Europe is very much such as I anticipated. There are too much error
and misconception of a deep and dangerous character at the bottom of the
movement to hope for much good. I have briefly touched one of the leading in
the speech, that goes with this, at its close. There are others not less
dangerous. . . .
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. 759-60
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