fallen!" I have no doubt that in abandoning me the delegates did not obey the will of their constituents. I think the prospect is tolerably fair that the slavery question will be settled before the close of the present session, by the adoption of the Missouri Compromise, or something like it. It is yet too soon to form a correct opinion in regard to the result of the presidential election; but from present appearances, I think the chances are in favor of Cass and Butler. Beyond the limits of New York it is believed that Van Buren will take more votes from Taylor than from Cass. According to my present estimate, Cass will receive the electoral votes of Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. These States give one hundred and forty-four electoral votes, whilst one hundred and forty-six are necessary to an election. To make up the deficiency, we have a fair prospect of carrying South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana, and are not without hopes of Georgia and Tennessee. Taylor's nomination has not been any where hailed with the enthusiasm which I had anticipated. From your friend, very respect fully, JAMES BUCHANAN. MY DEAR SIR/ TO GEORGE BANCROFT.1 WASHINGTON 20 October 1848. It affords me great pleasure to introduce to you the bearer hereof, Mr. Joaquin de Osma, who is about to proceed to London as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Peru to the British Government. Mr. Osma represented his Country in the same character in the United States for a considerable period; and this necessarily brought me into free and unrestrained intercourse with him. I ever found him to be a gentleman of high intelligence, of frank and honorable character and of a truly American spirit. You may converse with him freely on all subjects relating 'From the Bancroft Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. to the independence and interests of all the Spanish American Republics. I do not mean this as a mere common letter of introduction; but I desire specially to commend Mr. Osma to your kindness and confidence. From your friend very respectfully HON: GEORGE BANCROFT. JAMES BUCHANAN. MY DEAR SIR/ TO GEORGE BANCROFT.' WASHINGTON II December 1848. You were doubtless astonished at the result of the presidential election. It is deeply mortifying to me; and especially as Pennsylvania abandoned the Democratic Candidates. Coal and Iron have exercised a more important influence than I had apprehended. But it is vain to regret the past. "Not Jove himself upon the past has power." We must look to the future. The administration of General Taylor will, I have no doubt, be decidedly Whig: and the more Whig it is the better for the Democratic party. You are a shining mark and your able and efficient services, with your eminent and popular character in Great Britain, will not save you from proscription. There are several gentlemen anxious to obtain your place. Indeed from present appearances, there will be a fiercer scramble for the spoils than at the commencement of General Harrison's administration. Taylor is, I believe, honest and firm; but he is a decided Whig. He may possibly, for a brief period, resist proscription; but he must eventually yield. In the midst of our misfortunes, I have the consolation that I hope before very long to see Mrs. Bancroft and yourself. I have a thousand things to say to you. Should you determine not to return to Massachusetts I should think that this City would be a most agreeable residence for you. It is a duty which I owe to the party in Pennsylvania 'From the Bancroft Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. to return there; but if I were to leave that State Washington should be my place of residence. With my kindest regards for Mrs. Bancroft, I remain, In the concluding paragraph of my despatch to day, I used the words "reasonable pretext," which I have changed in the draft to "reasonable cause," as less harsh. In your admirable last letter to Lord Palmerston, you have omitted to comment upon the second order of the Irish Govt. drawing an invidious distinction between native and naturalized citizens of the United States. Both for public and private reasons I would advise that you should allude pointedly to this in your protesting note. But little is known of what General Taylor intends. It seems to be the general belief that Mr. Clayton of Delaware will be my successor; and that Mr. Crittenden will be Attorney General. He might be what he pleased; but it is supposed he would prefer the latter place. The Webster Whigs and the Lawrence Whigs of Massachusetts, it is said, are very hostile to each other. Mr. Lawrence, I learn from very good authority, is anxious to be Secretary of the Treasury: and it is my impression that he will be preferred to Mr. Evans of Maine; though the latter is much more fit for the place. The Whigs, great and small, are ravenous for office. We who are about to retire are as merry as crickets." We neither feel regret nor despondency. We are mortified alone from public considerations. The State Department has never been a pleasant situation for me, though it might have 1From the Bancroft Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. VOL. XI-31 been so, and personally I long to enjoy the privilege of being once more a private citizen. I perceive the English Journalists are delighted with General Taylor's election; although if his party be pledged to any measure, it is the repeal of what they call the free trade Tariff. But the political partiality of the British people for the Whigs is sufficiently strong to overcome their personal interest. The idea of General Cass having a penchant in favor of involving his Country in war is truly ridiculous. With my kindest regards for Mrs. Bancroft I remain always Sincerely and respectfully your friend The President has determined to entrust you alone with the negotiation under the 12th Article of your postal Treaty, provided it is conducted in London: but, if in Paris, you and Mr. Rush are to act jointly. All this has been explained to Mr. R. in a despatch. He is an amiable and excellent gentleman; and this was due to him. You ask, "Shall I resign? Shall I wait?" I say wait: but I do not consider it a matter of much importance. It is believed by many that General Taylor will not make removals except for cause; but this I do not believe. He may come here with such a determination; but he must yield to the clamors of the Whigs for office. Beyond the Cabinet, however, I do not think that any public officer ought to feel himself bound to resign. Each one ought to consult his own feelings. The Whigs here are as ignorant of the intentions of General Taylor as the Democrats. He has certainly kept his own counsel 'From the Bancroft Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. thus far. I understand from reliable authority, he has written to a friend, that with a single exception (which is supposed to be Crittenden) he will not determine who shall be members of his Cabinet until after he shall have arrived and consulted his friends in this City. It is thought by many that Crittenden will not accept a place in the Cabinet; and if he should, that it will be the post of Attorney General. In either event, Clayton has been designated pretty generally by Whig public opinion as my successor. Clay, it is said, is determined to come to the Senate; and so mote it be. He will raise the d-1 there. The part of the dying gladiator will be his. The Democratic party are not now in a good condition; but common misfortune will eventually produce a common effort to regain power. With my respectful regards for Mrs. Bancroft I remain MR. BANCROFT. JAMES BUCHANAN. P. S. Johnson's instructions have not yet reached the department; and we will wait no longer for them. MY DEAR SIR/ TO GEORGE BANCROFT.1 WASHINGTON 5 Feb. 1849. Your last Despatch has been received; but I have not time to answer it to-day before the departure of the next Steamer. The President still thinks you ought to make the protest, and I confess I concur with him in opinion. The Cabinet were unanimous upon the subject. It is in fact the sustaining of your course by the President. You have referred in your note to Lord Palmerston to the orders to the Irish police; and your reference has not been contradicted. I know the source from which you derived your information and it is of an unimpeachable character. Besides, on a call of the House of Representatives, my note of instructions to you has been published. These orders were a great outrage, and I have 'From the Bancroft Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. |