Senate Chamber 4th Jan'y 1834
MY DEAR SIR, I received your letter this morning, and have conversed with Mr. McDuffie in relation to its contents.
He informs me, that he will in no event be a candidate for reelection. It is due to Mr. McDuffie to say, that his tetter to
Mr. Brooks, stating that he would not be again a Candidate, was in answer to a letter from Mr. B, directly putting the
question to him, whether he would, or would not be a candidate; this fact had, however, better remain with yourself.
You certainly- can not be censured by any one for permitting your name to be brought forward under the w circumstances
which you stated; and I do hope, that should you appear to be clearly the Candidate, who is preferred by the party and
the District, that Mr. B will retire; as I am perfectly sure you would do under similar circumstances. At all events, I trust,
the canvass will be so conducted, should you both be candidates, as to preserve your friendly relations, and the harmony
of our friends in the District. I am confident from my perfect knowledge of your character, and your devotion to our
Cause and the principles on which it rests, that nothing will be wanting on your part to preserve the Union and harmony
of our party, and friends. I am much gratified to learn, that the session terminated as well as it did. We at one time felt
great anxiety at the State of things at Columbia. This is no
time for discord in our ranks. The period is eminently perilous. I know from [an] unquestionable source, that it is contemplated to agitate the Slave question this Session. A Bill
has already been prepared; and the member fixed on to introduce it; but it is still under consideration, at what time and
in what manner, it shall be made. It comes from the Colonization Society, and contemplates to emancipate the Slaves in
the District immediately ; combined with a plan to colinize on a large Scale the free Blacks, anywhere, with the aid of the
Government. Such a move, should it be made, as it is certainly contemplated, can only be considered as the commencement of the work of immediate emancipation over the whole [of] the South, to which event it will certainly lead, if not
promptly met by the entire slave holding states, with the fixed determination to resist at any hazard. We are aware of
the danger, to which you allude, of our merging into one or both of the great parties now contending for the Presidency.
We are on our guard. You will see from the course of the Telegraph, that we are determined to preserve our separate
existence on our basis. If there is to be Union against the administration, it must be Union on our own ground; but of
such Union I have but little hope. We are as wide as the poles.
I intend to speak on the Bank question. It will probably be late in the debate. I intend to take distinct ground, such,
as in my opinion, the question ought to be placed on.
It seems to be conceded that there is a great pressure in the money market; and prices of all description have fallen it is
supposed from 10 to 20 percent. Good Judges suppose the depression in the price of cotton is at least equal 3 cents in
the pound. This state of things has affected the popularity of the administration very considerably; particularly in Virginia.
I am in good health except a cold, which I have had ever since my arrival.
Give my affectionate regards to Mrs Pickens, and Mrs Simpkins and family; and tell Anna I will write to her the very first leisure moment.
- Author:
- John C. Calhoun
- Source:
- Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1899, Calhoun Correspondence.
