Senator John C. Calhoun to Anna Calhoun Clemson, June 23, 1848

Washington 23d June 1848

MY DEAR DAUGHTER, If a long interval lies between the date of this and your last, you must attribute it to the fact, that my heavy correspondence, publick and private, and official duties, compel me to lengthen the period between my answers and the letters to which they reply, to a much greater extent than I desire in writing to you and the rest of the family. I correspond with all of them which of itself occupies a good deal of my time.

The opinions you express in reference to the state of things in Europe are very sensible and just. There is no prospect of a successful termination of the efforts of France to establish a free popular Government; nor was there any from the begining. She has no elements out of which such a government could be formed; and if she had, still she must fail from her total misconception of the principles, on which such a government, to succeed, must be constructed. Indeed, her conception of liberty is false throughout. Her standard of liberty is ideal; belongs to that kind of liberty which man has been supposed to possess, in what has been falsely called a state of nature, a state supposed to have preceded the social and political, and in which, of course, if it ever existed, he must have live[d] a part, as an isolated individual, without Society, or Government. In such a state, if it were possible for him to exist in it, he would have, indeed, had two of the elements of the French political creed; liberty and equality, but no fraternity. That can only exist in the social and political; and the attempt to unite the other two, as they would exist, in the supposed state of nature, in man, as he must exist in the former, must and ever will fail. The union is impossible, and the attempt to unite them absurd; and must lead, if persisted in, to distraction, anarchy and finally absolute power, in the hand of one man.

It is this false conception that is upheaving Europe, and which, if not corrected, will upset all her efforts to reform her social and political condition. It is at the same time threatening our institutions. Abolitionism originates in it, which every day becomes more formidable, and if not speedily arrested, must terminate in the dissolution of our Union, or in universal confusion, and overthrow of our system of Government. But enough of these general speculations.

We are in the midest of the presidential canvass. It will be one of great confusion. Neither party is satisfied, or united on its nominee; and there will probably be a third candidate, nominated by what are called the Barnburners, or Van Burenites. The prospect, I think, is, that Taylor will succeed, tho' it is not certain. The enclosed will give you all the home news.

It is still uncertain, when Congress will adjourn; but, I think it probable it will about the 1st August.

My health continues good. I am happy to hear you are all well, and that the children [are] growing and doing so well. Kiss them for their Grandfather, and tell them how happy he is to learn, that they are such good children. Give my love to Mr. Clemson.

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. 757-9

Senator John C. Calhoun to Anna Maria Calhoun Clemson, January 24, 1849

Washington 24th Jan 1849

MY DEAR ANNA, I was happy to learn by your letter, that you were all spending your time so agreeably, at the Cane Brake. I feared, that you, with all your philosophy, would find the change between Brussels and so retired a place, too great to be agreeable; especially with all the vexation of house keeping, where supplies are so limited and little diversified.

I gave in my letters, written a few days since to your Mother and Mr Clemson, an account of the state of my health. Since then it has been improving, and I now feel fully as well as usual. The day is fine and I will take my seat again in the Senate. The slight attack of faintness, which passed off in less than a minute, was caused by several acts of imprudence, and among others, by doing what has not been usual with me, sponging my body all over as soon as I got up. The morning was cold and my system did not react, as I hoped it would. I must be more careful hereafter and not tax my mind as heavily as I have been accustomed to do.

I had a letter from John a few days since. He is under the operation of the water cure, and says that he already feels much benefitted. He writes that Mr McDuffie has been so far restored as to be free of the dyspeptick and nervous symptoms, but that the paralized limbs remain unremedied.

The meeting of the Southern members took place again last Monday night. My address was adopted by a decided majority.¹ You will see a brief account of the proceedings in the Union, which goes with this. It is a decided triumph under [the] circumstances. The administration threw all its weight against us, and added it to the most rabid of the Whigs. Virginia has passed admirable resolutions, by an overwhelming vote. The South is more roused than I ever saw it on the subject. I shall postpone the reflections, which your statement of the conversation of Co1 Pickens gave rise to, until I shall see you, with a single exception. He has constantly endeavoured to hold me in the wrong by attempting to make the impression, that I have been influenced in my course towards him by the artful management of persons hostile to him. There is not the least foundation for it. No attempt of the kind has ever been made; and no man knows better than himself, how far I am above being influenced by such attempts; for no one has ever done as much to endeavour to influence me that way, as himself, and as he knows without success. I have never regarded the course, which has led to the present relation between us with any other feeling but that of profound regret, on his account.

My love to all.

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¹ “Address of the Southern Delegates in Congress to their Constituents,” relating to the opposition to the Wilmot Proviso. See Calhoun's Works, VI, 285–312.

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. 761-2

Senator John C. Calhoun to Anna Maria Calhoun Clemson, April 10, 1849

Fort Hill 10th April 1849

MY DEAR DAUGHTER, I had a safe and pleasant journey home. The weather was pleasant and Spring was rapidly advancing. The Jessamine and Dogwood were in bloom, and the forest had just commenced clo[th]ing itself with green. The contrast was great between being pent up in a boarding house in Washington and breathing the pure fresh air of the country, made fragrant by the blossoms of Spring.

Patrick accompanied me to your Uncle James, where we met your Mother and Sister. They, with your Uncle, were well. I remained there four days, when we took our departure for Fort Hill, leaving Patrick with his Uncle. We found all well on our arrival, and the place in good order and business forward, considering that the measles had passed through the negro quarter during the winter, and that none, but a few had escaped, but with the loss of only one, an infant of a constitution too feeble to survive the attack. I shall finish planting cotton today, and the whole of my crop this week. The small grain looks well, and the place bears the appearance of good order.

We have no local news, in which you would take interest.

John returned from Milledge Ville by the last Stage but one. He looks well and I think his health is much improved by the Water cure. His cough is much better. He is quite a convert to the system. I advise him to visit the establishment at Brattleborough in Vermont, both to complete his cure and perfect himself in the practise. He says, that Gen' McDuffie has improved wonderfully under the process. He is entirely relieved from the Dyspepsia and his nervous affections, and has recovered the free use of his arms, is cheerful, sleeps well, and eats heartily. With the exception of his paralized leg [he] may be said to be well.

I have for some time believed, that the process, carried to a certain extent, would be of service to me; and have determined, under John's superintendence, to make a trial. I began this morning with what is called the wet sheet, or rather the damp sheet, which in effect is no more nor less, than a safe and efficient form of the vapour bath. I remained wrapt round with the sheet, and covered with 8 or 9 blankets for 11⁄2 hours, and ended in a warm bath, and an effectual rubbing dry. The process was soothing and pleasant. It has cleansed the skin effectually, and I doubt not, done much to open the pores-the one thing, in my opinion, needful to me. I shall persist in it until I give it a fair trial; and if I find it as beneficial as I expect, I shall fix up a complete bathing establishment. I am pleased with the first essay; and I hope it will prove a substitute for brandy tody and hot punch. They have, I doubt not done me good; but, I think, the water cure will do me still more.

All join their love to you, Mr Clemson and the Children. Kiss them for their Grandfather and tell them how much I miss them.

[P. S] You see I substitute a C for an M in your name. I hope you will adopt the change.¹

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¹ The letter is addressed "Mrs. A. C. Clemson" instead of, as in previous letters, "Mrs. A. M. Clemson."

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. 763-4

Senator John C. Calhoun to Anna Maria Calhoun Clemson, June 15, 1849

Fort Hill 15th June 1849

MY DEAR DAUGHTER, I do hope by this time, you are all safe in London, after a pleasant voyage. I shall be on the lookout for a letter dated at London in about two weeks from now.

I wrote to Mr Clemson subsequent to the receipt of your letter, and addressed to Brussels, where I hope he will find it, on his arrival. I stated in it, that I would write you the next week, which would have been Sunday last, but when I was about commencing to write, Cornelia brought me a letter to you, to be put under cover, which I did and forward[ed] to the State Department, to be sent by the first opportunity. You will probably find it at Brussels on your arrival. Cornelia gave you, I doubt not, all the news.

In consequence of her writing, I postponed my letter for a week, which will give it the opportunity to go by the next Steamer after that which took yours.

We all felt, my dear daughter, as you described your feelings to be, at your departure. It is, indeed, distressing to be so far off and for so long a time from those so dear to us; but let us rather look forward to when we shall again meet, than indulge in unavailing sorrows. I trust two years, at the utmost, will terminate your residence in Europe, and return you all again safe to our country. It is due to the children, that your stay should not be longer. Their habits and mode of thinking will, by that time, begin to be formed; and it is important, that they should be such, as to conform to the conditions of the country, which is to be their home. I often think of them, and how much delighted they would be, to be enjoying themselves in our green and shady yard. The season has been wet, and everything looks beautiful. Even the old field beyond the yard looks as green as a meadow. In the field beyond it, (Speeds field), now containing 125 acres, by the addition of clearing, has a fine crop of oats, just fully shot out, which completely covers the whole ground, presenting an unbroken mass of green in that direction. The big bottom on the other side is covered, with a superb crop of corn, the best at this season, I ever had on it, which covers the whole with a deep green. Back of it, lies fort hill, with its harvested wheat in shocks. The spring has been too cool and wet for cotton, but mine looks well, and, with my hill side drains and serpentine rows, really looks handsome. The place is altogether, in fine order. I ride or walk, according to the weather twice a day, morning and evening, over it, for the double purpose of exercise and superintendence. I have no trouble, as Fredrick has become a first rate overseer, and takes as much interest as I do in everything about the place. I would be delighted to have you and the children with me occasionally, in my walks. It would be wearisome to take them as often as I do.

My health and strength are as good, as I could expect at my time of life. I take all necessary care of them, except being rather more overtasked, than I could wish. I devote all the time left me, to finishing the work, I commenced three years ago, or more; but which I had to suspend the last two I ought not to delay its execution any longer, and aim to put it to press, if I can finish it in the recess, next Spring, or Summer. I finished yesterday, the preliminary work, which treats of the elementary principles of the Science of Government, except reading it over and making final corrections, previous to copying and publishing. It takes 125 pages of large foolscap closely written for me. I am pretty well satisfied with its execution. It will be nearly throughout new territory; and, I hope, to lay a solid foundation for political Science. I have written, just as I thought, and told the truth without fear, favour, or affection.

After a few days of relaxation, I shall commence to treat of the Government of the United States. It will be more than twice as voluminous as the elementary work, but not near so difficult of execution. It will take me four, or five months, I suppose. I have got a good deal of it blocked out. I should like to read both to you and Mr Clemson before I publish, and regret that I shall not have the opportunity to do so.¹ . . .

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1 These two works, posthumously published, "A Disquisition on Government" and "A Discourse on the Constitution and Government of the United States," constitute Vol. I of Calhoun's collected works.

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. 766-8

Senator John C. Calhoun to Abraham W. Venable,* August 1849

Fort Hill August 1849

MY DEAR SIR, I have read your letter with much interest, and congratulate you and the great cause on your triumphant success. Under all circumstances, it is a great victory for both; and shows what can be done by honesty and boldness in a good cause. Had the other republican members from the state acted with you, the party would have achieved a decided victory in the state in the election. Even as it is, much has been done to restore it to power. Your position is now a commanding one. You are placed by your course and victory at the head of the party in the state. North Carolina has long stood in need of an able, bold and honest man to take the lead in bring[ing] the state into her true position. You can do it.

I am glad to learn your health is good. Mine is as good as I could expect, and I trust sufficiently so to take me through the next session. It will be an eventful one. We must force the issue on the North, so as to know where we are to stand. The sooner it is done, the better for all concerned. I wish to board on Capitol Hill and near the capitol, and would be glad to have you of the Mess, and hope your arrangements will be made accordingly. I am busily engaged on my work, and hope to have it ready for the press before the commencement of the session; so that I can take it with me to Washington. I hear from Missouri, that Benton's days are numbered. Atcheson¹ and Green say, that he has as good a chance to be made Pope, as to be elected Senator.

My kind regards to your Son.

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* Original lent by Rev. S. T. Martin of Dublin, Va. Abraham W. Venable was member of Congress from North Carolina from 1847 to 1853.

¹ David R. Atchison, Senator from Missouri, 1843-1855. Benton was in fact defeated, after forty ballots.

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. 770