Letter from James Buchanan to Francis Pickens

US Senator James Buchanan writes to South Carolina politician Francis Wilkinson Pickens about political issues related to the 1844 Presidential election. Buchanan also discusses the likely candidates at the time (Martin Van Buren as Democrat and Henry Clay as Whig) as well as alludes to both John C. Calhoun's withdrawal from the Democratic nomination contest and unsuccessful attempt to run as an independent.

In addition, Buchanan explains his own withdrawal from the Democratic nomination contest. While Van Buren was "never.. my first or second choice for the Presidency," Buchanan notes how he "felt it to be a duty which I owed to my country and my party to withdraw" when it became apparent that he could not win. Buchanan also expresses concern about what would happen if the Whigs win the election. "It may be very long before Democratic principles shall regain the ascendancy" if Henry Clay and "the Whigs prevail," as Buchanan explains. Partial transcript included.