Congressman John Letcher to Senator Robert M. T. Hunter, August 1, 1857

LEXINGTON, VA., August 1st, 1857.

MY DEAR SIR: I received your letter of the 27th ulto this morning. I have been spending the past week at the Alum Springs, where there is a large Company, and where of course, I have met with a large number of persons from different counties of the State. I have conversed with many on the subject of the Senatorial Election, and I have met with but one man, who expressed opposition to your election, and declared himself for Wise, and that was Chapman of Orange Co[unty]. Kindred of Southampton told me that you would lose no votes in his section of the State, and from all he had seen and heard, he was entirely satisfied that you would be elected. I have no doubt of it myself, and do not believe, they can organize an opposition, that can defeat you. The vast majority of the people are just, and they will sustain you, against all combinations, that can be gotten up. I do not feel the slightest apprehension of the result.

The controversy between the South and Enquirer, at this particular time, and the temper with which it is conducted, is unfortunate. The tactics of the last named paper, are palpable. The object being to make the impression that all who were not for Buchanan as a first choice, are now inclined to embarrass his administration. I do not think however, that they can succeed in this, so transparent a trick. I shall be on the alert, to see what is going on and to thwart the schemers.

SOURCE: Charles Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), p. 215

William Lamb to Senator Robert M. T. Hunter, August 19, 1857

NORFOLK, VA., August 19th, 1857.

DEAR SIR: The report that you sympathize with the attacks upon the Administration, made by certain journals in the South, having been industriously disseminated throughout Virginia, thereby embarrassing the mutual friends of Mr Buchanan and yourself, you will oblige me, if convenient and agreeable, by stating your position towards the Administration, which you contributed in a great degree to place in power.

SOURCE: Charles Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), p. 219

Senator Robert M. T. Hunter to William Lamb, August 23, 1857

LLOYDS, ESSEX CO., [VA.], August 23, 1857.

DEAR SIR: I recognize in your letter a friendly spirit and I answer you with the same feeling. But my answer is for yourself alone, not for publication, or to become the subject of public allusion. I have never said or done anything against the administration nor have I any hostile feeling towards it. On the contrary I wish it success. What possible interest could I have in breaking it down or dividing the party? Nor am I responsible for the course of any newspaper. I do not see their editorials until after they are published nor am I consulted in regard to them. No one speaks for me.

I am responsible for my own sayings and doings and for nothing farther. Nor do I feel called upon to criticise the course of newspapers. If I have to commence with this there would be no end to it during the residue of my public life. In conclusion I must repeat the request that this letter is to be considered strictly private.

SOURCE: Charles Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), pp. 219-20

Diary of Edward Bates, Wednesday, June 15, 1859

[Rights of Naturalized Citizens Abroad.

 

Secretary Cass renders the following decision, in answer to a communication of a naturalized citizen who is desirous of visiting his native land:

Department of State, 

Washington, May 11, 1859.

 

To Mr. Felix LeClerc, Memphis, Tenn.:

 

Sir: Your letter of the 13th instant has been received. In reply, I have to state that it is understood that the French Government claims military service from all natives of France who may be found within its jurisdiction. Your naturalization in this country will not exempt you from that claim if you should voluntarily repair thither.

 

I am, sir, your ob't ser't,

Lewis Cass.]

I read in the Nat[ional] Intel [ligence]r.⁸⁵ recd, to day, that this letter of Mr. Cass has called forth much comment, in so much that the Adm[inistratio]n. deems an explanation necessary, and so, it is announced that a full statement of the views of the Govt, will soon be made[.]

(See Forward, 3 pages for 2d. letter)⁸⁶

(See Forward, 6 pages)⁸⁷

Horse Railroad — To day they began to lay down the rails in Olive Street, along the square next East of Lucas Market. They expect to complete it, from 4th. St. to 17th. St: by the 4th. July.

This day I took up my note to Peter Lindell⁸⁸ for $1000 and interest at 6 pr. ct: for a little over 2 yrs. He refused to charge more than 6 pr. ct: and seemed quite willing for me to keep it as long as I pleased.

He holds another note of mine for $500.⁸⁹

Fleming⁹⁰ and his wife and child came out, and are with us tonight.

Carlisle's [sic] Frederick the Great— vol 2. p 308 [.]

Election of the Kings of Poland — Worth reading, for comparison with some of our own elections.⁹¹

_______________

⁸⁵ June 14, 1859.

⁸⁶ The parenthetical note was added later in red pencil. It refers to the entry of June 20.

⁸⁷ In black ink again. It refers to the entry of July 19.

⁸⁸ Supra, May 3, 1859, note 44.

⁸⁹ After Mr. Lindell's death his heirs embarrassed Mr. Bates by calling this note.     See infra, Oct. 18, 1865-.

⁹⁰ The third of Mr. Bates's living sons — later a Confederate officer. See supra, " Introduction."

⁹¹ This Carlyle entry is in red pencil.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, Annual Report of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930, Vol. 4, The Diary Of Edward Bates, pp. 24-5

Diary of Edward Bates, Monday Morning, June 20, 1859

Barton⁹⁵ has been with us two days, it being too wet to plough at home. . . .

Senator Green

The Weekly Mo. Rep:[ublican] of June 17 contains a set speech of Hon: James. S. Green,⁹⁶ on Politics, gotten up, no doubt, with a special eye to his future — another election — He cannot fully defend Buchanan's administration, yet supports it — He is against Douglas'⁹⁷ popular Sovereignty, yet supports him⁹⁸ — On one point of Territorial government however, he is clear, i. e — Congress ought to intervene to put down Polygamy and other crimes in Utah.

[A clipping from the National Intelligencer of June 15, 1859, charging that the expedition sent to Paraguay under Captain Simbrick⁹⁹ was insufficiently provided with ammunition.]

[A long editorial from the Missouri Daily Democrat of June 29, 1859, denouncing Secretary Cass and President Buchanan for surrendering a right maintained by President Fillmore and Secretary Everett in the case of Mr. Francis Allibert,¹ the country of whose birth claimed his military service. The editorial is headed "Degradation and Disfranchisement of Naturalized Citizens by the National Democracy . . ."]

[A reprint from the New York Express referring to this case.]

Naturalized citizens — Secy. Cass — See back 3 pages — Forward 6 pages.2

[A column from the Washington Constitution on "The Rights and Liabilities of Naturalized Citizens" in justification of Secretary Cass’s position.]

[A newspaper copy of Senator Douglas's letter to Colonel John L. Peyton written August 2, 1859, about the LeClerc matter and the slave trade.]

On this subject, of the effect of naturalization, see my two letters to Mr. Welling³ of the Nat:[ional] Intel[ligence]r. — See current Letter Book.

_______________

⁹⁵ Mr. Bates's eldest son. See supra, " Introduction."

⁹⁶ An anti-Douglas Democrat from Missouri; successor of Douglas as chairman of the Senate Committee on Territories; leader of the revolt against Benton in 1849 ; congress man, 1847-1851; U. S. senator, 1857-1861. His Confederate sympathies led to his arrest by Federal troops at the outbreak of the Civil War and to his expulsion from the Senate.

⁹⁷ Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois: Democratic congressman, 1843-1847; U. S. Senator 1847-1861; chairman of the Committee on Territories; nominee of the Northern Democrats for the Presidency in 1860.

⁹⁸ Douglas and Buchanan had recently split the Party in their quarrel over " popular sovereignty." Green was a clever politician indeed if he could support both at once.

⁹⁹ William B. Shubrick had entered the Navy in 1806, and had served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. For the naval expedition against Paraguay which he commanded see supra, April 20, 1859, note 13.

¹ Francis Allibert was a native of France who left in 1839 just as he was drawn as a conscript. He became a naturalized American in New Orleans in 1845. On his return to France in 1852, he was arrested, but upon protest of the United States was ultimately released.

² The references are to June 15 and July 19.

³ James C. Welling: literary editor of the National Intelligencer in Washington, 1850-1865; advocate of Bell and Everett in the election of 1860; loyal supporter of Lincoln during the War; assistant clerk of the Court of Claims under Bates 1863-1865: later, president of St. John's College and then of Columbia University.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, Annual Report of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930, Vol. 4, The Diary Of Edward Bates, pp. 25-6

John B. Fry to Daniel S. Dickinson, January 17, 1858

NEW YORK, January 17, 1858.

MY DEAR MR. DICKINSON—Upon taking up this morning's Herald I was deeply pained to learn that by being thrown from your carriage on Friday evening you had received serious injury; and yet I am heartily rejoiced (if the despatch be correct) that your condition is not regarded as dangerous.

Though not always sympathizing with your political views and feelings—as, candidly, I do not in respect to the administration of Mr. Buchanan—I am nevertheless warmly, sincerely, and devotedly your friend; and I beg you to believe that I feel most keenly every occurrence, whether of a personal or political nature, which can possibly affect you injuriously.

I am in the habit of thinking and speaking of you as I thought and spoke of Mr. Clay while he lived. He was "wounded in the house of his friends;" so have you been in the house of yours.

But my only object now is to express sorrow at the untoward event that has happened to you, and an ardent hope that you may be speedily restored to health and happiness. I am, my dear Mr. Dickinson, always

Yours faithfully,

JOHN B. FRY.

SOURCE: John R. Dickinson, Editor, Speeches, Correspondence, Etc., of the Late Daniel S. Dickinson of New York, Vol. 2, p. 506

Daniel S. Dickinson to Henry S. Randall, April 14, 1857

BINGHAMTON, April 14, 1857.

MY DEAR SIR—I should be more prompt in my correspondence, but it is just now so heavy that if I had as much clerical force as Byron intimates the recording angel exhausted about the time of the "crowning carnage—Waterloo," I should still be as much in arrear as was the head of that overworked "black bureau."

I should have come and seen you when at Cortland, but I learned you were ill; and I supposed, too, that you were so deeply buried in your studies that all you would desire of your fellow-men would be that they might, as Diogenes said, "get away from between you and the sun."

The administration seems to be getting on well, but, I am sorry to learn, is hunted to death by office-seekers. It is absolutely discreditable to have an administration so beset that it can do nothing because of office-seeking in a country so full of undeveloped elements as ours; but so it is.

I am pretty deeply busied, if not buried, professionally. I would like a little more relaxation than I find, for I would like to review the poets, from Tasso and Chaucer to Peter Beebe and Polly Gould; but n'importe.

Mrs. Dickinson joins me in regards to yourself and family; and especially I desire kind remembrances to your daughter, who honored me with a note.

Sincerely yours,

D. S. DICKINSON.

Hon. H. S. RANDALL.

SOURCE: John R. Dickinson, Editor, Speeches, Correspondence, Etc., of the Late Daniel S. Dickinson of New York, Vol. 2, p. 503