Under date of July 12, 1857, the President wrote in reply: "On the question of submitting the constitution to the _bona fide_ resident settlers of Kansas I am willing to stand or fall.

In sustaining such a principle we cannot fall.

It is the principle of the Kansas-Nebraska bill; the principle of popular sovereignty; and the principle at the foundation of all popular government.

The more it is discussed the stronger it will become.

Should the convention of Kansas adopt this principle, all will be settled harmoniously, and with the blessing of Providence you will return triumphantly from your arduous, important, and responsible mission.