Fort Hill 6th Sept 1847
MY DEAR SIR, I agree with you, that the political condition
of all western Europe is very unsettled, and especially France. Nor are we much
better off. Our future is very uncertain. The old parties are disorganized. The
administration weak; and the termination of the Mexican war, and what will grow
out of it, uncertain. We must wait for the developements of the next 12 months
to know where we are. In the meantime, Clay and his friends are making a great
effort to bring him out again, as a candidate, and will probably succeed.
Taylor has lost ground greatly, and will probably be ruled off. He has written
too many letters, and some of them very illy advised. Wright has died,1
— a severe blow to the Hunkers; and Benton is denouncing the administration,
whether to break with them, or control them is uncertain; probably the latter.
We (the State rights party) are making an effort to establish an independent
press at Washington, as the organ of the South. A large amount has already been
subscribed, and it is hoped, it will be in operation by the meeting of
Congress.
_______________
1 Silas Wright died August 27, 1847.
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. 736-7
