Details
BUCHANAN, James. Two autograph letters signed ("James Buchanan") as Senator, to Arnold Plumer, Bedford Springs and n.p., 7 August 1844 and [1844]. Together 5 pages, 4to and folio (10 x 8 and 12 15/16 x 7 7/8 in.), one missing top quarter of pages 1 and 3 with some loss of text, tape repairs, the other with minor loss along right margin and small holes at the fold.
BUCHANAN REVISITS THE NULLIFICATION CRISIS: "WE SHALL HAVE TO FIGHT THE SAME BATTLE ALL OVER AGAIN"
Two fine, outspoken letters to former Pennsylvania Congressman Plumer (1801-1869) with unusually frank comments on the issues of the Presidential election of 1844 (which pitted Polk against Clay) and the Nullification controversy of Jackson's era. "The Whigs," he writes, "seem to have abandoned all other questions in Pennsylvania & are devoting themselves with the energy of despair to the Tariff. Their pamphlets & documents reach almost every house in the Commonwealth; and the indiscretion & folly of our Southern Democratic friends furnish them with ammunition."
Comparing the current tariff debate, resulting from a recent enactment, to the historic Nullification crisis and criticizing the role of Whig Henry Clay, he predicts even greater dissension: "We are destined to witness greater difficulties on the question than we passed through in 1832 & 1833. Had Mr. Clay let General Jackson alone he would then have settled the question of discriminating protection. Are you aware of the fact, that the Nullification Convention of South Carolina, not Mr. Clay, are substantially the authors of the Compromise?" Quoting substantially from Jackson's speeches at the time, Buchanan exclaims: "is this not the very spirit & essence of the Compromise Act? What said Old Hickory?" After another Jackson quotation, he concludes, "Thus Jackson and the South Carolina Convention were at issue when Mr. Clay interposed, & the consequence is that we shall have to fight the same battle over again with much greater odds against us."
Finally, Buchanan argues that "the great question to be determined in the Presidential election is Bank or no Bank," and, referring to a public letter of Democratic candidate James Polk, states: "I do not believe that they [the Whigs] will be able seriously to penetrate our ranks with their Tariff weapon." Quoting from his own speech on the admission of Texas, Buchanan advises Plumer "My remarks on Rail Road Iron...may be of some service in Pennsylvania." (2)
BUCHANAN REVISITS THE NULLIFICATION CRISIS: "WE SHALL HAVE TO FIGHT THE SAME BATTLE ALL OVER AGAIN"
Two fine, outspoken letters to former Pennsylvania Congressman Plumer (1801-1869) with unusually frank comments on the issues of the Presidential election of 1844 (which pitted Polk against Clay) and the Nullification controversy of Jackson's era. "The Whigs," he writes, "seem to have abandoned all other questions in Pennsylvania & are devoting themselves with the energy of despair to the Tariff. Their pamphlets & documents reach almost every house in the Commonwealth; and the indiscretion & folly of our Southern Democratic friends furnish them with ammunition."
Comparing the current tariff debate, resulting from a recent enactment, to the historic Nullification crisis and criticizing the role of Whig Henry Clay, he predicts even greater dissension: "We are destined to witness greater difficulties on the question than we passed through in 1832 & 1833. Had Mr. Clay let General Jackson alone he would then have settled the question of discriminating protection. Are you aware of the fact, that the Nullification Convention of South Carolina, not Mr. Clay, are substantially the authors of the Compromise?" Quoting substantially from Jackson's speeches at the time, Buchanan exclaims: "is this not the very spirit & essence of the Compromise Act? What said Old Hickory?" After another Jackson quotation, he concludes, "Thus Jackson and the South Carolina Convention were at issue when Mr. Clay interposed, & the consequence is that we shall have to fight the same battle over again with much greater odds against us."
Finally, Buchanan argues that "the great question to be determined in the Presidential election is Bank or no Bank," and, referring to a public letter of Democratic candidate James Polk, states: "I do not believe that they [the Whigs] will be able seriously to penetrate our ranks with their Tariff weapon." Quoting from his own speech on the admission of Texas, Buchanan advises Plumer "My remarks on Rail Road Iron...may be of some service in Pennsylvania." (2)