Buchanan, James, 1791-1868 to Isaac G. McKinley

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GLC#
GLC04903
Type
Letters
Date
16 July 1851
Author/Creator
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
Title
to Isaac G. McKinley
Place Written
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Pagination
2 p. : Height: 25.6 cm, Width: 20.4 cm
Primary time period
National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860
Sub-Era
Age of Jackson

Buchanan voices his support for the Fugitive Slave Law, enacted under the Compromise of 1850. Believes the law will be the deciding issue in the upcoming election, and that the Democrats should strongly support it. He writes: "The great issue...ought to be: the maintenance of the fugitive slave law without modification." Another central issue must be "the repeal of our State law denying the use of our jails for the detention of fugitive Slaves." Worries that the South is already distressed, and will become more so if the Fugitive Slave Law is attacked. Mentions a Colonel, possibly Bigler, who is running for local office. Says Bigler's success may be crucial to his own, and discusses Bigler's enemies. Offers to assist McKinley with his "campaign paper." Written at Wheatland, Buchanan's estate in Lancaster.

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