Senator John C. Calhoun to James H. Hammond,* January 4, 1850

Washington 4th Jan 1850

MY DEAR SIR, I have delayed answering your last letter until I could write more certainly in reference to the subject to which it relates.

As far as I can judge from indications, I cannot doubt, but that the Convention at Nashville will be well attended. The members from Virginia speak with confidence, that delegates will be appointed by their State. The subject is now before a committee and publick sentiment, in the state and legislature, is said to be strongly in its favour. The legislature of N. Carolina does not meet this winter; but the best informed of her members speaks with confidence, that the state is roused, and that, at least, there will be a partial representation from the state. You can better judge what Georgia will do, than I can. The Alabama members say with confidence their state will appoint, and the Florida that theirs will. So say the Arkansas delegation; and Mr. Turney, Senator from Tennessee, who has just left me, feels confident, that Tennessee will. I have but little information as to what Missouri, Kentucky and Louisana will do; but if the others should act, it is not improbable they will. Even Maryland begins to wake up. Her Governor has come out on the Southern side and I have little doubt the State will, from what I hear. Everything that can be done will be done here to ensure a full attendance. There is already much excitement here and it will go on increasing. The debate on the question at issue between the South and North will commence early and be warm. It is becoming a common opinion, that there is little chance of saving the Union. The subject is freely talked about and discussed in private circles. It is also becoming a prevalent opinion, that the South ought not to remain in the Union, without a complete restoration of all her rights, a full recognition of our equality [in] every respect, and ample security for the future. The contest will not be limited to the territorial aspect of the question between us and them. Every question will be put in issue, and the question of the Union be freely discussed.

It is contemplated, at the proper time, if it should be thought to be necessary, to call on the South to appoint delegates, so as to be fully represented. Georgia is an important state. You can do much there, and I hope you will exert yourself, if it should be necessary, to induce her to be represented at Nashville.

As to myself, I lose no opportunity, where I can act with propriety, to give the great cause an impulse. I want no reward, no prominence, or even distinction. If the thing is done, I am satisfied, let it be done by whom it may. I have made it a point to throw off no one. Let us be one, is my advice to all parties at the South. You must not think of retiring. The time for action has come. If the South is to be saved now is the time.

The great, pressing, practical question of the session will be on the admission of California. I regard it as worse than the Wilmot Proviso. What the latter proposes to do openly the former is intended to do covertly and fraudulently. It adds insult to injury. The debate on it will be violent and denuncia[to]ry. We may be voted down, but it will not be done without adding fuel to the flame.

_______________

* Original lent by Mr. E. S. Hammond.

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. 778-80

Diary of George Mifflin Dallas, February 2, 1861

A slight solace to one's anxieties about home is found in the circumstances brought by successive steamers during the week. 1. The proposition of Mr. Crittenden, or "The Border States," seems growing into favour. 2. There was a large minority on the question of secession before next 4th of March in the Georgia Convention. 3. The Alabama members of Congress have been instructed not to quit, but to wait further advices. 4. The South Carolina Commissioner, Colonel Hayne, has suspended his demand for the evacuation of Fort Sumter. 5. Charleston is suffering greatly from want of supplies. 6. Major Anderson is universally applauded. 7. Virginia has adopted as satisfactory the compromise of Crittenden. 8. Financial affairs are improving; the United States stock rose one per cent.

There would seem to be a most extraordinary departure from the chivalric honour in public life which has heretofore characterized Southern gentlemen in the disloyal treachery with which Cobb, Floyd, Thomson, Thomas, and Trescott have pursued secession in the very penetralia of Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet. Nothing can relieve them from the charge of deceit and treachery but their having apprised the President, on entering his counsels, that, instead of recognizing as paramount their allegiance to the Union, they were governed by "a higher law" of duty to Georgia, Virginia, Mississippi, Maryland, and South Carolina respectively.

Persigny, recently appointed to the Ministry of the Interior in Paris, made a popularity-seeking plunge at his outset in relaxing restrictions on the Press. Suddenly he has turned a corner; giving, three days ago, an "avertissement" to the Courrier de Dimanche, and arbitrarily ordering the offensive writer, Ganeseo, out of the Kingdom! He says that Ganeseo is a foreigner, and cannot be allowed to criticise the principle of the Imperial Government.

SOURCE: George Mifflin Dallas, Diary of George Mifflin Dallas, While United States Minister to Russia 1837 to 1839, and to England 1856 to 1861, Volume 3, p. 432-3

James Buchanan to Philip F. Thomas, January 12, 1861

WASHINGTON 12 January 1860 [1861].

MY DEAR SIR:

I have received your letter of yesterday resigning the office of Secretary of the Treasury, to take effect when your successor shall be appointed & qualified.

I very much regret that circumstances, in your opinion, have rendered it necessary. Without referring to those circumstances, I am happy to state, in accepting your resignation, that during the brief period you have held this important office, you have performed its duties in a manner altogether satisfactory to myself.

Wishing you health, prosperity, & happiness, I remain

Very respectfully your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

HON: PHILIP F. THOMAS.

SOURCE: John Bassett Moore, Editor, The Works of James Buchanan, Comprising his Speeches, State Papers, and Private Correspondence, Volume 11: 1860-1868, p. 106

Philip F. Thomas to James Buchanan, January 11, 1861

WASHINGTON D. C., January 11, 1861.

MY DEAR SIR: It has not been in my power, as you are aware, to agree with you and with a majority of your constitutional advisers in the measures which have been adopted in reference to the present condition of things in South Carolina; nor do I think it at all probable that I shall be able to concur in the views which you entertain, so far as I understand them, touching the authority, under existing laws, to enforce the collection of the customs at the port of Charleston.

Under such circumstances, after mature consideration, I have concluded that I cannot longer continue in our cabinet without embarrassment to you and an exposure of myself to the just criticism of those who are acquainted with my opinions upon the subject. I therefore deem it proper to tender my resignation of the commission I now hold as Secretary of the Treasury, to take effect when my successor shall be appointed and qualified. In doing so, I avail myself of the occasion to offer you the assurance of the high respect and regard which, personally, I entertain for you, and with which,

I have the honor to be your friend and obedient servant,

PHILIP F. THOMAS

The PRESIDENT.

SOURCE: John Bassett Moore, Editor, The works of James Buchanan, comprising his speeches, state papers, and Private Correspondence, Volume 11: 1860-1868, p. 105