18 January 1848
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
Autograph letter signed
Title: to Alfred O. Nicholson
Supports Lewis Cass' concept of popular sovereignty, enabling each new state to vote whether or not to allow slavery, believing that this is the best way to extend and protect slavery. "It seems to me for the south to admit that the federal Government has the power to establish slavery where it does not now, exist, (that is in the territories) is conceding all that the most ultr & Wilmot proviso man desires - for if the Government can establish, in slave territory now free, it can abollish it in a territory where it does exist...Our true position in my opinion, is, to deny all power to…
GLC04628