[30]. As Vice-President.
[31].
[MRS. BUCHANAN TO HER SON JAMES.]
July 3d, 1821.
My Dear James:— ... A letter from William came to hand on the 11th of June, in which he expressed considerable anxiety to return home, that he might once again see his father and receive his last benediction; but upon receiving the melancholy information of his death, his desire of coming home is subsided. I am highly gratified by the reception from him of a letter of the 18th, in which is exhibited a resignation to and acquiescence in the will of Providence, together with appropriate sentiments on that melancholy occasion, far beyond his years. For this I bless the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Hoping you may be ever the care of an indulgent Providence, and all your conduct regulated by His unerring wisdom, I subscribe myself your affectionate
Mother.
[32]. It should be said here that the whole course of this negotiation shows that the details of the treaty were entrusted largely to Mr. Buchanan’s discretion. At that time, indeed, it was impracticable for an American minister in Europe, and especially at St. Petersburg, to be guided from day to day, or even from month to month, by the Secretary of State. The Atlantic had not then been crossed by steam. I have gone through with the minute discussions which took place between Mr. Buchanan and the Russian Foreign Office, but have not deemed it necessary to display them to my readers. They evince on his part a thorough acquaintance with the whole subject, and a remarkable power of carrying his points.
[33]. See post an account of Mr. Buchanan’s conversation with Pozzo di Borgo in Paris.
[34]. General Jackson at his second election received 219 electoral votes out of 288.
[35]. This I believe to have been a mistake, in respect to the nullification ordinance. It was adopted by a State convention, and consequently could only be repealed by another convention. This, I believe, was not done; but the laws based upon this ordinance were probably repealed by the legislature after Mr. Clay’s compromise. See the Life of Webster, by the present writer, Vol. I, p. 156.