Charleston 9th March 1847
MY DEAR SIR, I have just returned from addressing a very large and enthusiastick meeting. It is said to be the largest
ever held here. I find perfect unanimity here, including Whigs and democrats. I never have been received even here
with greater unanimity and enthusiasm than ever. I got your
letter and prospectus. I placed the later in the hands of several intelligent friends. It met their entire approbation.
I find the impression here is, that $25,000 would be necessary to place a daily paper at Washington on a solid foundation. I have had a full conversation with several capitalists,
who are firmly attached to the cause, in order to ascertain
what portion of it can be raised here. They required time to
consider and decide. They are to inform me as soon as their
decision is made, when, if it should be favorable, I will write
to leading friends in other states. I think the indications here
favorable but it will take time to make arrangements. The
fate of the Constitutionalist has cast a damp. Ten thousand
dollars was raised here to support it. The whole has been lost
without doing any good.
The selection of the editor, you know, must depend on the
leading contributors. I suggested your name, as if sounding;
and I am bound in candour to say, there was no reponse.
Nothing was said in disparagement of you, but I was forced
to infer that it did not meet with approbation. As to myself,
I am inclined to think that the course your prospectus indicates, to restore the old organ and its editor, under its proper
name, would be a very successful move; perhaps the most successful, which could be made; but it is, I fear, too bold to obtain the assent of the timid, who constitute so large a portion
of any party. I would individually be glad; nay rejoice to
see you restored to your old position. I have confidence in
your friendship, and am grateful for your support in passing
through some of the eventful periods of my life; but I feel
confident you will see that the relation I bear to you of a private character and the position I occupy in the party put it
out of my power to speak in anything like a tone of authority
on the subject.
I have written you in the sperit you. requested, but it is
proper to add that I do not consider that there is anything yet
settled in reference to the paper or its editors, and that I would
be most gratified to see your great experience and talents associated in conducting it, should it be established.
As to myself, I look wholly to the cause and would really
rejoice to see some one take the lead and receive the appropriate honors of leadership instead of myself. I am most anxious to retire to the quiet of private life, after my long and
laborious publick service; but it seems to me the more I do,
the more I am compelled to do, and the farther I recede from
retirement.
I shall write you again, when I hear from my friends from
Charleston about the paper.
Mrs Calhoun joins her kind regards to yourself, Mrs Green
and family.
I enclose this to Mr Bull to avoid the espionage of the postoffice.
More Resources
- Author:
- John C. Calhoun
- Source:
- Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1899, Calhoun Correspondence.
