as it exists in a portion of the United States, and feeling confident that, in the correctness of this opinion, I am sustained by the entire free white population of Alabama, as well as the great body of the people of this Union, I must, with the greatest respect for yourself, personally but not for the opinions or principles advocated by the society—­positively decline receiving said publications, or any others of a similar character, either personally or officially.  Indeed, it is presuming a little too much, to expect that the chief magistrate of a free people, elected by themselves, would hold correspondence or give currency to the publications of an organized society, openly engaged in a scheme fraught with more mischievous consequences to their interest and repose, than any that the wit or folly of mankind has heretofore devised.

    I am, very respectfully,

    Your ob’t servant,

    A.P.  BAGBY”

JAMES G. BIRNEY, Esq., New York.

* * * * *

GOVERNOR CANNON’S LETTER.

[This letter required so many alterations to bring it up to the ordinary standard of epistolary, grammatical, and orthographical accuracy, that it is thought best to give it in word and letter, precisely as it was received at the office.]

    “EXECUTIVE DEPT.—­

    NASHVILLE. Dec. 12th, 1837.

    Sir

I have rec’d yours of the 1st Inst notifying me, that you had directed, your periodical publications, on the subject of Slavery to be sent to me free of charge &c—­and you are correct, if sincere, in your views, in supposing that we widely differ, on this subject, we do indeed widely differ, on it, if the publications said to have emanated from you, are honest and sincere, which, I admit, is possible.

My opinions are fix’d and settled, and I seldom Look into or examine, the, different vague notions of others who write and theorise on that subject.  Hence I trust you will not expect me to examine, what you have printed on this subject, or cause to have printed.  If you or any other man are influenced by feelings of humanity, and are laboring to relieve the sufferings, of the human race, you may find objects enough immediately around you, where you are, in any nonslaveholding State, to engage your, attention, and all your exertions, in that good cause.

But if your aim is to make a flourish on the subject, before the world, and to gain yourself some notoriety, or distinction, without, doing good to any, and evil to many, of the human race, you are, pursuing the course calculated to effect.  Such an object, in which no honest man need envy.  Your honours, thus gaind, I know there are many such in our country, but would fain hope, you are not one of them.  If you have Lived, as you state forty years in a Slave holding State, you know that, that class of its population,