I am very much honored and obliged by a copy of your Message which you were kind enough to send me and which I received a short time since. I am very much gratified at the forcible manner in which you have reviewed the measures of your administration, the whole of which meets my unqualified approval and I am pleased that I was permitted to have some humble share in promoting the important measures consummated in the first Session of the 29th Congress; and although the misrepresentations in regard to the Mexican War contributed greatly to prevent my re election I am fully compensated for any personal defeat by the inestimable results to the country: the consequences of that War. The valuable acquisition of territory now developed in the gold regions of California alone has demonstrated sooner than was anticipated the wise policy which has characterised your administration and has completely dissipated and falsified the confident assertions of the Whigs made last fall, that the territory was utterly valueless: an assertion that I had to combat in this district as elector without expecting that my positions as to the importance of the acquisition would be so soon verified.

I may be permitted in the utmost sincerity to assure you that in my opinion your administration has more nearly approached the Republican creed (as I understand it) in its practical results than any former administration of our government and therefore I am not surprised at the dissatisfaction produced among the Whigs at your bold and truthful exposure of the tendency of federal measures and the boasted “American System” which I hold with you if carried out in the administration of the Government would change the whole character of our institutions and ultimately subvert Republican liberty here. I regret to say however that in North Carolina the Democratic party are under a cloud, & in a minority that I fear will take a long time to change. We however have fought better than could be expected. (without an organization which it has been impossible for us to perfect although I have unremittingly urged it.[)]1

I have just learned that Mr. Badger after many ballottings is re elected to the Senate and I regret that our friends (although they could not have elected a Democrat) should have cast their votes for Mr. Clingman whom I consider as objectionable if not more so than Mr. Badger. An acknowledgement however has been wrung from Clingman in approbation of the measures of your administration. I have just recd. a letter from a member of the Legislature who states that Clingman pledged himself against a National Bank & the Wilmot proviso and in favor of the Independent Treasury and the Tariff of 1846.

I should be gratified if during the short period of your official term the distracting Slavery question could be settled and therefore I cordially approve your earnest recommendations on that subject, although a consideration of Party policy might desire me to throw it upon the incoming administration: for it cannot be doubted that Genl. Taylor if he vetoes the Wilmot proviso will be guilty of a gross fraud in obtaining Northern votes, and my observation convinces me if the South obtains equality in any portion of the new Territories it can only be expected during your administration. If Genl. Taylor approves the Proviso the larger portion of the Southern Whigs I believe will justify or excuse him. I am satisfied from my canvass this fall that even in eastern North Carolina a large vote could now be obtained for the Proviso if the movement were headed by one influential man.

The result of the Presidential election therefore on this question is to divide the South and unite the North, and what may be the ultimate result time only can determine. Certain I am that the South cannot reasonably calculate upon securing any thing except it is done during your term and that seems improbable from the recent course of the House of Representatives: a course which I predicted would certainly be pursued in the next Congress. I very much fear that the spirit of Abolition is making such rapid progress, that in a few years the Northern slaveholding States will be compelled to surrender the question: if for a few years even we should be spared intense excitement followed by violent outbreaks.

I hope for the best but fear the worst and therefore I repeat my admiration and approval of your course in pressing the question with earnestness before the excitement becomes uncontrollable.

But I did not commence this letter with the intention of trespassing upon your time in speculations upon political subjects but to express my thanks for your recollection of a friend now in private life and to assure you of the warm approval of your message by one who feels a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of the country.

Please present my kindest regards to Mrs. Polk, and beleive me while I have the honor to subscribe myself . . . .