that thirst for political dominion over us, which, within two years past, has displayed such increased power and systematic purpose, should prevail, it will only remain for our delegates to withdraw from the convention, and inform their fellow-citizens of the failure of their mission. We shall then have reached a point at which all party measures sink into insignificance under the necessity for self-preservation; and party divisions should be buried in union for defence. But, until then, let us do all which becomes us to avoid sectional division, that united we may go on to the perfection of democratic measures, the practical exemplification of those great principles for which we have struggled, as promotive of the peace, the prosperity, and the perpetuity of our confederation. Though the signs of the times are portentous of evil, and the cloud which now hangs on our northern horizon threatens a storm, it may yet blow over with only the tear-drops of contrition and regret. In this connexion it is consolatory to remember, that whenever the tempest has convulsively tossed our republic and threatened it with wreck, brotherly love has always poured oil on the waters, and the waves have subsided to rest. Thus may it be now and forever. If we should be disappointed in such hopes, I forbear from any remark upon the contingency which will be presented. Enough for the day will be the evil thereof, and enough for the evil will be the union and energy and power of the south. I hope it will soon be in my power to visit you and other friends at Vicksburg, from whom I have been so long separated. I am, as ever, truly your friend, JEFFERSON DAVIS. Jefferson Davis to John Jenkins. (From Vicksburg Sentinel, September 29, 1847.) John Jenkins Esq: Brierfield, Sept. 21st, 1847. Dear Sir-In your paper of the 1st inst., I observed a notice of a long article in the "Mississippi Advertiser," being an attack upon my "friends" in general, and myself in connection with the fact, that the 2d Mississippi Regiment, had offered to elect me their Colonel, and that I declined to accept. Much stress is laid upon a paragraph in a number of your paper issued whilst I was in Mexico, referring to a rumor that I would probably become the commander of the 2d Mississippi Regiment. I saw the paragraph, and at the same time a notice of it in a New Orleans paper, which treated the rumor as ridiculous. Either or both views seemed to me very unimportant, as no vacancy existed, and there was no prospect that one would happen. Col. R. Davis left his Regiment on leave of absence, not to resign, but to make such arrangements as would enable him to return to his command, and remain during the war. This information communicated to me, by himself, I frequently gave to others, to correct an impression that he would not return. He rejoined his Regiment very soon after I left Monterey. Ill health has subsequently compelled him to resign, and a vacancy thus unexpectedly occurred. In the mean time your paragraph, which the Advertiser considers as so effective, had become old,-if you can bear the supposition, perhaps Sir, it was forgotten in the 2d Regiment; the more supposible, as the report you noticed came from them, and could acquire no additional importance by travelling back. The "Advertiser' says: "The announcement of the rumor of some circumstances, had time to reach the camp of the 2d Regiment in Mexico, and also the refusal of the tender of the Brigadier Generalship." Now, Sir, I have just said I thought the announcement had too much time, and I have some reason to believe the refusal had not enough. A Physician formerly a member of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, now on duty in the medical staff of the division which includes the 2d Mississippi Regiment, wrote to me from camp Buena Vista, on the 10th July; five days before the letter of the committee, from whose letter I make the following extract: "The 2d Mississippi, leave for Augua Nueva, in a few days, and more troops are expected up. We were all delighted to hear that you have been promoted to Brigadier, and would take command of this Division." The idea of electing me Colonel of the 2d Mississippi Regiment, I have been informed by some of the officers, was as old as its organization; and repeatedly when we were at Monterey, members of the 2d Mississippi Regiment, expressed a wish, in the event of their Colonelcy becoming vacant to have my services in that capacity. These will remember, whilst I acknowledged the compliment, the extent to which I always discouraged the proposition, and will recognize in the third reason of my letter to their committee a principle they have heard me more fully present. By them my reply might have been anticipated, yet if they supposed I could not resist an invitation so generously and unexpectedly given, they were not far wrong. Had I been physically able, and free to accept, they would probably have been right. Now, Sir, to return to the article of the "Advertiser," having gratuitously made the supposition, that the invitation of the 2d Regiment, was procured to subserve some purpose, and be refused, the editor with all the solemnity of an indictment proceeds: "If Col. Jefferson Davis has, at any time, or in any form," &c &c, to instruct me what it is requisite for me to do in the case. To the low suspicion, I have nothing to reply. It must find its rebuke in every ingenuous mind, and its refutation must come from my friends of the 2d Mississippi Regiment, who best know the degree of its falsehood. How an unprejudicated mind could originate such things, it is difficult to conceive. Nor is it more easy for me to imagine whose vanity has been wounded, whose envy excited, whose jealousy has prompted him to this misrepresentation of a free offering, an honorable distinction, which my fellow citizens of the 2d Regiment, have been pleased to confer upon me. At the close of the Advertiser's article, is a call for information as to the ground on which I declined the proffered command. Those who volunteer advice, ought to have a great deal of information, and I am happy to have it in my power to contribute any. I therefore send you for publication the correspondence in relation to this transaction. It is comprised entire, in two letters herewith enclosed. No. 1 the letter of the committee, No. 2, a copy of my reply. Very truly your friend, JEFFERSON DAVIS. A. McWillie and others to Jefferson Davis. (From Vicksburg Sentinel, September 29, 1847.) Buena Vista, Mexico, Genl. Jefferson Davis-Sir:-As you will doubtless have learned before this reaches you, the office of Colonel of the 2nd Mississippi Rifles will be vacated on the 1st of September next, by the resignation of Col. Reuben Davis. Feeling a deep interest in the selection of his successor, the officers held a meeting on last evening to ascertain, if possible, who was the choice of the regiment. Knowing and appreciating the high reputation you have ac quired as commander of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, there was on the part of the meeting a unanimous expression of opinion in your favor, and the undersigned were appointed a committee to ascertain the preference of the whole regiment, to communicate with you upon the subject, and to know if you would accept the command if tendered to you. We have made such enquiry among the men, and we are happy to be able to state, that you are the unanimous choice of the whole regiment. We therefore request that you will communicate to us at the earliest practicable period, what your views are upon the subject, so that we may communicate the same to the regiment. Permit us to indulge the hope personally that it may not be incompatible with your wishes and interests to assume the command, and that we may soon have the pleasure of greeting you as our leader. We have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your ob't serv'ts, A. McWILLIE, E. DOWSING, 1st Lieut. 2nd Miss. Rifles, F. AMYX, 1st Lieut. 2nd Miss. Rifles, A. J. TRUSSEL, 2nd Lieut. 2nd Miss. Rifles. Jefferson Davis to A. McWillie and others. (From Vicksburg Sentinel, September 29, 1847.) Brierfield, Warren co., Miss., Gentlemen:-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your most gratifying letter of the 16th ult., conveying to me the information that my esteemed friends of the 2nd Mississippi Riflemen unanimously offer to elect me their regimental leader. The honorable post you offer has every thing to commend it to me; it is the free gift of Mississippians; it invites me to field service in a region where the energy and health of the troops will not be impaired by the climate, and it assures me of being in the column of the general in whom I have unmeasured confidence. Your proposition under all the circumstances which attend it, is an honor of which the highest reputation might well be proud, and for which I feel more grateful than I have power to express. In declining a station so honorable, so acceptable to my tastes, feelings and associations, and offered in a manner so highly complimentarily, I have three reasons to submit to you in justification of my decision: 1st. I have not so far recovered from my wound as to be able to travel immediately; the probable date of your advance admits of no delay in one who would join you in your present position, and the anticipated character of your movement, in the event of an advance, renders it doubtful whether an individual could join you on the march. II. Before the receipt of your letter I had accepted a commission to fill a vacancy in our Representation in the U. S. Senate. III. I have held that vacancies occurring in the field afford opportunities to reward merit among yourselves, and that policy dictates, and esprit du corps demands, that promotions should thus be made. I feel that your kindness has made me an exception to a rule, and that I best show myself worthy of your generosity by declining to take advantage of it. Though I shall not be with you to share the glory, it is permitted me to hope that at no distant day the fortune of war will give you an opportunity to fulfill the expectations of you, so early and confidently announced by myself, in common with your many friends and admirers. To you alone now is Mississippi's standard confided. Rent and blood-stained it may be; but in your hands, can never be dishonored. It may droop with the cypress, but will be crowned with the laurel. For yourselves, gentlemen, please receive my sincere thanks, for the grateful terms in which you have conveyed the flattering wishes of my friends and fellow citizens of the 2nd Mississippi Rifles, to whom I pray you make my acknowledgements acceptable. With assurances of the deep interest I will always feel in your prosperity and fame, and with the hope that under the blessing of peace we may be early reunited at home. I am very cordially, Your friend and ob't serv't. JEFFERSON DAVIS. Messrs. Capt. A. McWillie, Lieut. E. Dowsing, Lieut. F. Amyx, Lieut. A. J. Trussell, committee 2nd Mississippi Rifles. |