“ The powers granted under the Constituiion, being derived from the People of the (Jnitcd iStates, ,/iay be resinned by them, v:hcnever perverted to their injury or oppression:^—Madison.
VOLUME 4.
CHARLOTTE, IVORTH-CAROLIIVA, JAiWARY lO, 1815.
OTM^ER 19S.
EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY
Frcdericii 11. M’Dow ell.
TERMS:
The Mccklenburg Je^ersonian” is published week»y at
I'lco Dollars a year, payable-invariable in advance.
Adoerlisejnents will be conspicuously and correctly insert
cd at One Dollar per square for the first insertion, and 'Picen
ty-Jive Cents for each continuance—except Court and other
udicial adveriist.-inents, which will be charged ticcnty-five per
.cut. higher than the above rates, (owing to the delay, gene
vally, attendant upon collections). A liberal discount will be
to those who advertise by the year. Advertisements sent
n for}!iibUc:\tion, must be marked with the number of inser-
iiori!. desired, or ilit-y will be published untilfuibid and char"
eJ accorJiiii:!y.
VV' Letlevs to the IvJitor unless containing money in sums
o; i 'u-e I.'o’Uirs or ovi r, must rome free of postage, or the
;imoaiit p:tiJ at the offline ht'f! will bo charged to the v.-riter
li every uis-’aiiik*, and coiLoti d as other ceccmnts.
■iOV].:RXOR HAMMO.XD'S LE TTER.
EMXU riVli DePAIITMENT. ^
Cdfvlifta. .Tuiir 21, 1841 ^
But I make bold to say that the Prt-sbyiery of
the Free Church of Glasgow, and nearly all the
Abolitionists in every part of the world, in denounc
ing our domestic slavery, denounce a thing of which
they know absolutely nothing—nay, which does
not even exist. You weep over the horrors ot'.hr
Middle Passage; which have ceased, so far as wc
are concerned ; and over pictures of chains and lash
es here, which have no existence but in the nnagi
natjon. Our sympathies are almost equally excited
by the accounts published by your Commiliees o!
Farliarnt'iu—and thetefore true; and which have
been verified by tlie personal observation of many
of us—ufihe squalid misery, loathsome disease, anil
actual starvation, of multitudes of the unhappy la
bort rs, not of Ireland only, but of England—nay.
of Glasgow iisc'H. Y'et wo never presume to inter
fere With your social or municipal regulations—
your aggregate wtahh and congregated misery—
nor ihf crimes attendant on them, nor your pitiluss
laws for their suppression. And when we see by
your oflicial returns, that even the best classts ol
has made, and which nothing but slavery could
have made to the same extern, in the race ol Ham.
Look at the Negro in Africa—a naked savage—al
most a Cannibal, ruthlessly, oppressing and destroy
ing his fellows—idle, treacherous, idolatrous, and
sach a disgrace to the image of his God, in which
you declare him to be made, that some ol’ the wis
est philoaophers have denied him the possession of
a soul. See him here—three iwillions at least of his
rescued race—civilized, cdntributing immensely to
the subsistence ol the human Ikinily, his passions re
strained, his afl’ections cultivaied, his bodily wants
and infirmities provided for, and tlie true religion of
his Maker and liedeemer taught him. lias elavery
been a curse to him ? Can you think God has or
dained it for no good purpose ?-r-or, not content with
the blessings it has already bt ^.fowed, do you dctsiro
to increase tliem still? Before you act, be sure
your Heavenly Father has revealed to you the
means. Wait lor the In.spiration which brought the
israjlites out of Egypt—which caried Salvation to
the Gentiles.
I have written you a longer letter than 1 intended.
But the question of Slavery is a much more inierest-
has, through all lime, heretofore been accorded to
thorn, of exchan;,Mng goods of a small amount in
valuL ai her ports in California, for supplies indis
pensable to their hoallh and comfort.
Nor'will it escape the observation of Congress,
that in conducting a correspondence with the iVlin
ist('r ol thr United Slates, who cannot, and does not,
knovv anv distinction between the geoijraphical sec
lions of the Union, charges wholly unfounded are
made against particular States, and .an apj>eal to
others for aid ami protection agair»st suj>p'sed wrong.
In this same ronno( iiun, sectional pt judict s are ai
templed to be excited, an I the hiiZ:i'iloii^ and un
freely we m:iy mdnigt* m discussion among out
selves, ihd A-nyrican 1\;o;iIh will tolerate no :i;t-i
ferencr in iht ir domestii; all'.iirs by any foreign Go
vernmeni; and iu an ilui'. coiic«^rns ihe constuulioii'
al guaranieuo and llie national honor, ihe Piojile of
, I *“ • I I L u. ' i "".I ! ing subject to us- involving as it does the fate of all I Unil-cd Stales havf but one mind and one heait
Lnoliihagncuhural laborers can obtain for ihcir iJ ronnn,.
- , i 1 j I f ! ^bat we hold dear, than anytliiug connected with
support but seven pounds of oread and four ounccs j Brown can be to you; and I trust you w’ill
of meat per week, and when sick or out of employ- j r^ad my reply with as much consideration as I have
ment. must either starve or subsiit on charity, we j read your Memori.il.
cannoi but look with saiisfaciion lo the condition of j i Jiave the honor to be. very lecipectfully, your
our slave laborers, who usually receive as a week* ob’t serv’i, J. IL HAMMUND.
ly allowance, fiileen pounds of biead, and three j Rev. Thomas Brown, D D. Moderator of
pounds q{ bwcon—have iht ir children fed ''’■iihotu ■ q|-jy
stmt, a!id propeily aitended to—Are all well cloth ! ihereof.
td, and have comlort.ible dwellings, where, with '■
Sir • la l p is', bioiigiit me vour eommunica-
.111. rti'coini'. Kiyiug il»“ memoiialol ihe Presbyifi y
iliu Fuc C'iiu.cii ot Glasi^ow. m bthall of John
Tj ii ou'U. cjiiiiC.Mj in ihis Slate cf ai lmg a slave
Hi fioiii master, and si-ntfnct-d lo be
ill Aj.ii! i.:;i. It will hi* ofiaiifying to you. | ilieir gardens and puuluy yards, they can, if the j
soi uT-; lilt* iiileiesl you have luken' in llie mailer, to l^asi indu^ii ious, more than realize for themselves
1= .in liia' I ii-iVf paidori d Bi o;\ n In const qui nce i the vain Hope of ihe gu al E rench King, Uiat ‘le
setjMfion.'' tn'ui: io tnc in Dtcetnber Iasi, by | mi^iit See every peasaiil m France have his fowl
upon his tJible on the .Sabbath ; — who, from the j)io-
cetds of iheir own crops, purchase even luxuries
and finely—who labor scarcely muie than nine
houis a day, on the average of the year—and who,
in sickness, m dtclinmg years, in inlancy and do
J O’N -.ill, >p; 'ikiiig f u hi.nSelf citid the Judge
L‘i-j C'.'.i.loi I t’o:n:nund his punish-
»a .' * 10 tliii'v I lihi'S Facts, not known to the
Jji V. nor i) iii“ Ju-igf, Wlmp af'erwards brouglit to
jay kaOA'l dif'. uli'.cii satisii d me ihai Brown had
)iC>
o
not al all ul li. u lim':' of [\,f gtt'al inUTCSl la.
ken ;ib.o.il in v!'cii'-f who^t' case- I haJ nevc-r
.iieniioi'ied iKie. ixjcpl oa ih’j occasions re ^ .
ft.iTtd lo; an 1 I was asioni;hed lo find myselt over- \ our slaves, bal aie always ready lo challengt a
:- !:n'.‘d soon a^i.r wilh volauiinous peiiUons foi ^ comparison, and should be hi:^h!y craiifitd lo sub
Tile I’rc.-sident's 31essiii?e.
'i'he subjoined Message of Ik- PfsiJtnt, to both
Houses of Congr^'Ss, gives a/aithtul abstiU'-t of the
relations at pre^unt existing L'oiween our Govern
n*ent and lhal ol .Mexico.
jy oawiC'U u Ii;c wuii wau j ^ • v ^ ^
Q ■■riminal J sign in f\ hil he J; J j and in the month j crejiilude, are watched over wiih a tenderness scarce-
! .Maioh I i:a!r:ir:i J 10 hill! a fall i ardon. 1 was I ly shofI of paren'.al. When we contempiuie the
. n . t .1 . ..t t) .. i I.'H A 11 .*.111 .it voiif I) fi (* t Li 11V f s. of w .h o ttt lliat
cnown coiidiuoij .d your upetalives, ol whom lhal
ol your a;;riouluiral l.iboreis is perhaps ihe leasi
wreloheJ, we are not only not athamed of that of
pardon from tlie non siavehoiding Stales of ihis | niii lo a reciprocal invcsiigulitin, by enlighlen-.d
\\i
bis _
and to pesccivH that this sentence was com ^ and iinjjai iiul judges,
irieni.'d on. not onl)’ by the English nwwspapers, ■ You are doubiless of opinion, that ail ihesc
• ui in the Kngiiiii liouse ofLDids. The ialesl, ami j vantages in favor of ihe slaves, .f they exui
I l:
1 t a i
\
r
the !-\-t coriirnunicaiion to me iS your memo I niort- ihan counterbalanced by his being depiived ui
i his ficedom. Can you l» !I me what liei J-jui l^ —
i i;o i:.u ;f;.ririee of foreicneis or any person be-, wlio possiss i:, nnd fio.v much is req'i.Mie for hu-
,J eiur b.juaJni;es, in ihe ex-cution of ihe muni'| I'oan happ.tiess It vonr opi'iaiive, t .\:aiing in
ia\‘s of a ^ov.■■rt i'in S' -'e. even in r^sv' jiful ! the phy::‘e’al and moial c:;ndilion wiucn youi e»'\n
i^ cniaii/y a v;,'.!. :ion ol all propiieiy and j ofncial riiu:ns de{-icl—depi ived loo ol every poiil
■. *:.sv. c:'.nied i.iany exi; n;. mubi become | ical iighi, even lhal ui voting at the polls—who
.. h 1-- I i.as.'. mat l-y, however 'i’he I not che-iiihed by iho slightest hope of ever iinprov
Li .v u'iJef Brown conv'-ud, was enael j ing his lot or leaving his children lo a better, and
(J -i jring ru: c-i I'.iul t \ii‘.aice. ;ind is emphalical- | iiclually seeks iho four walls of a prison, the hulks
K’ lJf)li^n law. it IS aliO a good l.rw. -1 pardoned {transporialion, as comp.irniive llfSsini'S—is he
li'::n nol because I disapproved of the law, but be- 1 free—sujficientbj fiee? Can you say ihat ilus -•a
oau^e I did net ihink i)r violated it. It would be j of freedom—the liberty lo bs g or steal—:o e.hu -*•
lit' nv^ii absurd liiaig in ihe uorld lo recognize by ! between shuvation and a prison—does or ou;’hi to
la.v a sysieai of domf'eUc slaveiy, and yet allow ev- | make him happier than our slaves, s^uialed as 1
(. r V one lo free, i.ut inertly his own ilaves, but ihose
i-.j ijIs iiMLjhbnr. whenevei ins'i^aud lo do so by his
o.vii (lo^eiiiJ . f p:up:iety, h.s inieioil or his caprice.
W i ui suri ( i sicuiily would we have for properly
J, :J on sucii as these.'*
\'ou e:!nuol bnl perceive lhal lo permit others lo
iik- out ^l ivt;i lum us at { leasure wilh impunily
w u! 1 aruooni to a toial aboiiiion of slavery, 'rhert
\\; jKl b;’ r.:) rer.l v’.lTeitnce bMwten ihis and allow
J the iht vt s to no flee then:Sc 1 ve^:. Your Pres
' .'.t rv. ar.a ui; ihe i,rliiiuners for Brown, andaf^iia-
* . ' O
-.'•■I li;s m*ia' nave seen the nriUer in ihss
i r;nJ i‘ ;s I'trioaDnj lo ns bill a small share of
:i.iM;n :■ ;:jppo^e iiial u e weuld not lake the
To the IScnale,
and House of Rcprcsentaiivcs :
I transmit herewith copies of despatches received
fiom our Mnitiivi ai iNlexioo, since the coinmi'iice-
nn ni of your pieseni session, which claim, from
ihen iinpuriance, and I doubt not will receive, y'our
calm .-nd dulmerale consideialion. The exiraordi
nu. s and hignly olfen.Mve language which the Mex
ixcan Govi .-nmuil has lhou:.^hl piopei lo employ in
lenionsirance of ihe Executive ihioayh Mi. Shan
ii( n. a^ainsi the rtiiewal of the war will) Texas
w iiilt: tho ijuesiion of annexaiiou was p»^ndir!g be
fo.t Congress and the r>.-^ph'. r.nd aUo. the propos
ed ir*-;:;ntr of coiiJ'ic'..ng liiuL war. u lu nol
aiii jL your a’.'.en'.icn.
Su'.’h :riaonitranci’. uigeu m no unfriendly spirit
li) w.is cailtd for by considerations of an
un^ierative ch.\.'t\:iei, having rclaiicn as v.-e*Il to ihe
ptact of this couniiy and honor of ihis Government
Correspondence of the Richmond Enquirer.
Wasiiixgton, Dec. 31, 1844.
To the Editors of the Enquirer:
In the Senate, ihe first hour of its session was de
voted lo ihe reception of various peiilions, memori
als, and resolutions; after which, Ihe bill appropria
ting lands for the completion of the Wabash and
Eiie Canal, came up on its third reading. It was
dt bated, al leiigih, by Mr. While of Indiana, who
urged its immtdiale passage,‘and Mr. Haywood of
Nttiih Carolina who argued in favor of ils postpone
ment, until Thuisday next. It was finally post-
pnidonable efiort is made lo foment dlVl^lonaamong | poned: and then ihe Senate went into Executive
the Slates of the Union, thereby lo embiiit i iheir Srssion, after which they adjourned until Thursday,
peace. Mexico has still to learn, iliul howevei ! (the day ufu r lo-morrQW.)
In the House, little of importance lo your read
ers wa- uansacicd. Various bills, resolutions, and
jieiitions were presented and referred. A discursive
debate spiiing up on the resolution referring lo the
enslaving and jain'.ing of a map of the U. Slates
and adjacent iciriiory, which was under considera*
non yesterday. The oill for ihe reduction of the
price' of public lauds lemaining unsold, was also de
bated : afitr uhiolithe House adiouiued until ille
'I'ho subject of Annt'.xalion addresses iiaelfmost
fortunately’ to ev»‘iy jioniini of ihf' Union - Th(‘
Kxecuiive would hivi-bei n utnnindlul of :!s high'si
obli^'aiions. if il could nave adopted a course of j “^y ^^*^*‘‘^tiow,
policy dfciited by sectional inu-resis and local lee! | li seeins now to be well understood, by our friends,
ings. On Iho contrary, il uas because the quesiion •; that no opposition lo ihe annexation of Texas, on the
was neiiher local nor seclional, but made iis appeal i pail of the Ueiiiocrais in ihe House, is lo be appre-
10 the inter. SIS of the whole- Union, and ot every ' hended, but fiom some half dozen men frcni New
Stale in the Union, ih."i! t.'ie negoliaiion, und fiaaliy i Yoikand uihe;i INo:lhein States. They in all ca-
ihe Tiealy of Annexalion was entered into; and il . se.^’, represent districts in which ihe Abolilionisfs
lias aflbided mu no Oidinai y pleasure lo perceive I hold ihe balance of power. Being without lhal de
nial, so far as di-mon?ii aiions have bet n made upon ! cision of chuiacler so necessary lo make succcssfuI
11 by ihe J^. yplo. they have- proceeded Iroin all [lor | poliiioiatis. ihey have made up iheir minds lo adopt
lions of the Union. M* xico may seek lo excite di - . the ii:ue Set ving policy ol ben Jmg lo apprehended
visions amongst us, by ulLermg unjua dcnuncjations ! storms in iheir individual disliicls. They lake this
against particular Sialts, lut v.'he*j ti:e comcs lo j couite, knowing well lhal ii obliges ihem lo play
know that the invitations addressed lo our fellow-i s cond fiddle lo Federalism, Such men have no
ciliZr-ns by Sjiain. and afterwards by heiself, lo set- | fi.xed pnnci'ilts: arid il is a malfer of congratulation
lie Te.\as, wi-ie accepted by emigian'.s from all the j with uur };a!iy, lhal circumstances haye foiced ihem
Slates: and when, in addiiion to this, she refieshes | to show iluir hauds eie ihe new adminiitT.alion
her recolleciioi; with tfie fact, lhal iho flrsi effoi l | comes iniu jtuwt.r. W e ai e be lter wiiiioui lhairwilh
which was made lo uequire 'IVxas was, duiing the i ihcm; for ii».ir noiaiUui aJheieace lolhe Demociat-
adminiitialion of a di.'tinguished ciliZ'.ri from an ! ic paiiy will only tegei trouble for those who eland
Fasiern Slate, which was afierwaids ren;:-wed undc-i * by its ])!incij!les—the issues of the lute campaign
ihe aui{)ices ol a Prendeni frojM the Souih west, f m tliei: diiUicts. il is ilie linn determination of
she will awake lo a knowledge of the futility uf lour liiends lo save Mr. Puik f.om the embanass-
her present purpose of sowing dissensions amonu ! meni consc(]u.'ni upon equivocal positions cn ihe part
us, or producing distraction iti our Councils by at ' of any men m Congress claiming lo bo membeis
propos lacks either on particular Slates, oi on persons who l of ihe Deniocrauc Parly, 'i'hey will be cinphaii
ji fall lo j are now in ihc retirement of j^rivale life. Consid- , cully repudiated in Washi.igion, atid muslmif i •
ering the appeal which she now makes lo eminent , liu ir inin.is to be icc )'>nised at lion.e tilher ; i:
citizens by name, can she hope lo escape censure I whigs or !i-'!jy Deiuocruis—thai is lo be ih
for having ascribed lo them us well cs to others, a ■ Fede'iaiiSiU. la 5onie way or either. Under oti.^
design, as she’ pretends now, for the first lime re- ; c::i unisi'ances, ihero rriigiu be some hesitation al.nn
veuled, of having originaled ni goiiji ions to -ipoili netaiug
- iulemen so unceremoniously, but,
as lo llie cause ol huujanity and civilization. T*^\as i iier. by duplicity and lalsehood, of u poiiicn of huj j vviih uur present majoii'.y in the House, such is con-
'territory? Ttifi opmioii iheti, as ijQW, prcvailtd with ' ceivi d lobe the mosi prudent course of action.—■
the Executive, lhal the Annexalion of Texas lo ihe | I'hey can be well Sjiaied, ami there is no other me-
Union was a matter of vast importance. In order j ihod of leaching lime'Sc^ving men ihe danger of
to acquire the lerrilory before it had assumed a ])o- ! abandoning piiucipie. si ihe command ot every iii-
silion among ihe independent powers of the earth, { lie counter current at limes lulliing the tide on which
propositions were made lo Mexico for a cession of j the Deiiiocracv have fiereicforc iioaitd iriumphanl-
il lo the United Stales. Mexico saw in these pro- i |y.
tiad entered into ihe 'rieuiy ol Annexation upon ihe
ni'ilalions of the Executive: and when, for lhal act,
sht was ihr‘-aum*d wilh a lenewal of the war on
th* pari of M» xiro, she n uurally look^id to this Go
vern.u.nt t > int- rs;>ose its effoils lo ward ofl the ihrea-
n:d blow But • ne course was left the e.xeculive,
wnhin '.fif Inniis o- its consiiluiional compe-
Uw. y, ;ind lhal was lo j).oti;si m resp(;ClfuI. but at
have truly described him, wiihout a struggle, care or ; the sa.iic tnae siiong and decided teims against it.
gloomy forethought? ^ war iLl.: ll!»f a.-, ncd lo b* i't'm*wed, was pio
But you will perhaps say, it :s nol in the thing ; mulgaled bv and .leCiees. winch ordered, on
but in ihe name, that the magic resides—lhal ihere [the pari of ihi Ai- ^ u .jilitaiy, Itie desolation of
is a vasi difiVrtnce between being called ci slave | whole tracts o uni/y. and the destruction, with-
- i \ ;i. W of 11 , U't ivt
i'.eil'.er 'e :!.i iii.'Ui'd b-e ii,fl.'cltd fors'n;h an of-
iicr- i.s ati 'ill' f qu'..' ion. \\"e have modified jn a
■ ■ ■’ (lei^ief • .'inLTiMiaiy code of law left US by
■ :c i'j . ::h J bill e iiave not gono llie
U) ut.:c:i hiiesoj'hf'is, bo‘ii here and in your
■ : : > , , , j hav ! aJ Governments to go—of a
* Iju* p'miili.Df iii cif d;;.ilh. Nor do I be-
-V your Gowernmenl has niel wilh in
(iiiltV M irig (o o'iiiiinish crime by abolishing this
, uuijljau'ui i;i s;r innny casts, will ( iicourage them
■ presj li):- c ;i!ti r much further al this lime.
CiiiU': I( riiiL' ilif* value of a slavi ■ iho facility of
-lu.'in:^ him from his ov\ner| ih.e evil influenct;
uiiich fitqiunl seduction might exercise on an in
suiulion. itir di siMiction of which must speedily und
inevitably strike from the roll of civilized Stales
'i I'ly ili« wlioli? flivn holding S'clion of this conn
5iy. as it has already di)ne in St. Domingo and Ja-
Miaioa ; an 1 ibe enihusiasiic and reckless enemies of
this niitituiion. by whom we are surrounded, il seoms
!■' me lhal if any ofl'tnce afrecting projierty merits
dtatli, Uiis is one.
^ etir mt inori.ii, like all that have been sent to
me, dtnotmns slaveiy in the severest terms; as
‘ iravejsing every Law of Nature, and violating
liie mosi sacied donuaic relations, and the primary
liights of Man.”—You and your Presbytery aie
- iirisiians’. \ on j)rofess lo bt^lieve, and no doubt
•1) believe, ihatihH laws laid down m the Old and
X'Mv Testaim nts for the gov, rnmeni of man in his
uuhmI, social and political r^^Iations, were all the di
tccl ieV(‘iation of God himself —Does it ne*ve*r oc
cur to you, that in an^'ilhematizing slavery, you de
ny ihis Divine Sanction of ihose Laws, and repudi
ate boUi Christ and Moses ; or charge God wilh
do’vnr;ghl crime, in regulating and perpetuating
slavery in ihe Old Testament, and ihe mosi cnmi
nal neglect, m noi only nol abolishing, but nol rf
prchending it, in Uie New? If ihese Testampnls
Come from God. it is impossible that slavery can
■'traverse the Laws of Nature, or violate ihe pri
•nary Rights of Min” What these Laws and
lights really are, mankind have not agreed. Bui
they are clear to God j and it is blasphemous for
^ny of His creatures lo set up iheir notions of ihf-m
opposiiion to His i.mmediate and acknowledf^ed
UeveUiion. Nor does our system of slavery out
rii^e the most sacred domestic relations. Husbands
‘iiiJ w;ves, parents and children, among our slaves,
seldom separated, except from necessity or crime
Ahn same reasons induce much more frequenisepa
the while population in this, and, 1
in aTm‘t?l every other (rc^QYltr^^
and being made one^ though ((jually f iisi.ived by
law. by local forms, and by unmulable r:eces;iiy.—
This IS an ideal and senlimcnial distinction, which
out discrimina.: I .;:i tigts. s. x-s, and cimdiiions
of existence- Ov ' iht- m.amer of conduciing war,
M I'xico possesses no txclosive control. Slu has no
It will be difficult to bring the African laco lo com ! riglii lo violate al pleasure the principles which an
piehend. Bui il it be true, and freedom is a name
and idea rather than a reality, how many are there
ihen entitled even to that name except by courtesy ;
and how many are able to enjoy ihe idea in perfec
lion? D *es yotir operative regard il as a sufTicienl
compensation, for the difTerence between font ounccs
and three pounds of bacon? If he docs. Le is a
rare philosopher. In your powerful Kingdom. So
cial Grade is as thoroughly established as Milita
ry Rank. Vour commonalty are among themselves
a scries of n.^cendmg classes: and lisingabove ihem
all many more, composed of men not a whit supe^
rior to thenuelvcs, in any of the endowments of na
lure, who yet m name, m i:’ca and in fact, possess
grealer worldly privileges. To what one of all
these classes does genuine freedom belong? 'I'o
the Duke, who fawns upon the Prince—to -he Ba
ron, who knuckles lo the Duke—or the Commoner,
who crouches to the Baron?
Donbtless you all boast of being ideally free ;
while the American citizen counts your treedorn
slaverj^, and could not brook a stale of existence in
which he daily encountered fcllow-mortals, acknowd-
edged and privileged as his superiors, solely by^ the
accident of birth. He, too, in turn, will boast of his
freedom, which might b^ just as little to your taste.
I will not pursue this topic further. But 1 think you
must admit, that there is not so much in name ; and
that ideal and imputed freedom is a very uncertain
source of happiness.
You must also p.gree, that it would be a bold thing
for you or any one to undertake to solve the great
problem of good and evil—happiness and misery”,
and decide in w’hat w^orldly condition man enjoys
most, and suffers least. Your profession calls on
you lo teach that his true happiness is seldom found
upon the stormy sea of politics, or in ihe mad race of
ambition, in the pursuits of Mammon, or the cares
ol hoarded gain ; that, iu short, the wealth and hon
ors of his world are to be despised and shunned.
Will you then say, that the slave must be wretched,
because he is debarred from them?—or because he
does not indulge in the dreams of philosrjphy, the
wrangling of sectarians, or the soul disturbing spec
ulations of the scepuc?—or because, haying never
lasted ot what is called Freedom, he is ignorant of
ils ideal blessings, and is as contented wilh his lot,
such as it is, as most men are with theirs ?
You and your Presbytery doubtless desire, as we
all should, to increase ihe happiness ot ihe human
family. But since it is so difncult, it not impossible,
to determine in what earthly state man may expect
to enjoy most of it, why can you not be content, to
leave him in that respect where God has placcd him
—to give up the ideal and the doubtless, for the re
al—to restrict yourselves to the faithful fulfilment of^
your great mission oi preaching the glad tidings ol
Salvation ” to all classes and conditions, or ai the
very least, sacredly%abstain from all endeavors to
ameliorate Ihe lot of man by revolution, bloodshed,
massacre, and desolation, to which all altempts at
Abolition in this country, in the present, and, so far
as I can see, or any future age, must inevitably lead?
Be eatisfied with the Improvement which Slavery
enli;ihtened civiiiz uieii has laid down (or ihe con
duel of nations at \var; and Iheieoy retrograde lo a
period of barban.sm which, hapjiily fur the woild,
has long since passed away. All nations aio inter
ested in enforcing an observance of those principles,
and the United Stales, the oldtsi of the American
Republics, and the nearest of the civihzed powers
to the iheaire on which these enorimlies Ui.to jiro
posid lo be enacted, could nol quietly conu-nt them
selves to witness such a slate of things. I’hey had,
through the E.xecuuve on another occasion, and as
was believed wilh thn approbation of the whole
country, lemonsUalt d against outrages similar, bui
even less inhuman, than those by which her now
edicts and decrees she has threat* ned to perpetrate,
and of which the late inhuman massacre at Tobas
CO was feut a precursor.
The blocdy and inhuman murder of Fannin and
his companions, equalli d only’ in savage baibariiy
by the usages of the uniuioied Indian iribrs, proved
how liiile confidence could be plac»d on the mosi
solemn stipulations of her Generals, whilu the fate
of olhi rs who became her captivcs in war, many of
whom, no longer able lo sustain the fatigues and
privations of long journeys, were shot down by the
way side, while iheir companions who survived
w’ere subjected lo sufleiings even more painful than
death—had left an indelible slam on the page of
civilization. The Executive, wilh the evidence of
an intention on the pari of Mexico to renew sccn^s
so revolting lo hi2manitv, could do no less than re
new remonstrances form»'rly urged. For fulfil
ling duties so imperative, Mexico has thought pro
per, through her accredited organs, because she has
had represented to her the inhumanity of such pro
ceedings, to indulge m languag** unknown lo the
courtesy of diplomatic intercourse, and ofTensive in
the highest degree lo ihis Government and People.
Nor has she offended in this only. She has nol on
ly violated existing conventions between the two
countries, by arbitrary and unjust decrees against
our trade and intercourse, but wiihholds instalments
of debt, due to our citizens, which she solemnly
pledged herself lo pay, under circumslanccs which
are fully explained by the accompanying letter from
Mr. Gieen, our Secretary of Legation. And when
our Minister has invited the attention of her Gov'
ernmenl to wrongs committed by her local aulhori'
lies not only on the property but on the persons of
our fellow-cilizens, engaged in prosecuting fair and
honest pursuits, she has added insult to injury, bv
not even deigning, for months together, to return
an answer to his representations. Still further to
manifest her unfriendly feelings towards the United
Stales, she has issued decrees expelling from some
of her provinces Ame»ican citizens engaged in the
peaceful pursuits of life, and now denies to those of
our citizens prosecuting the Whale Fishery on »he
Norih'We^ crurrst of th-c PatriCcc the privileg^e which
Yours, truly.
ANOTHER BET.
The follouing is said lo be a gonuine correspon
a lady
in the case,’’ we "ive it
Darii-N; Dec. 11, 1811.
ceedings, at the lime, no caus-' of complaiiii. She is {
now, when simply reminded of them, awakened lo j
the knowledge of the fact, which she, through her
Secretary of Stale, promulgates lo the u’hoU world
as irue, lhal those negotiation.^ were founded in de
ception and falsehood, and superinduced by unjust j and as
and iniquitous motives. AVhile Texas was a de- | . ,
pendency of IMexico, the United Stales opened ne^ j '
gotialions v.’iih the latter power for the cession of | y . p . ^
her then acknowledged territory'; ar?d now that j ' ull*,x, ...q ,
Texas is independent of Mexico, and has maintained I Dear Sir; ou unJoubledly remember some
a separaio existence for nine years,—during which | ni August lasi. when on youi way lo Braille-
tmie she has bei n rf-ccived inio the family of nations, i ^ ‘ i ^f traveilmg wilh a lady who expressed
and is represented by accredited ambassadors at ma { bettelf timr.giy in favor of the election of James
ny of the principa! Coujts of Europe—and when i ^or President; and was, moreover, cc;nfi
It lias become obvious to the whole world that she | sufliages of ihe People of this
13 forever lost to Mexico, the Uniled States is char- niition, would on llie dih of March next, be called
god u ith deception and falsehood in all relating lo | discharge of lhal high oflice. \ ou also no
iht past, and cond«mnalory accusations are made ! doubt, remember that a wager was laid beUveon
agam'^'i Stal(‘s v. hich have had no special agency in ; yourself and this lady (myscif,) on the lesult of iho
the mailer, b* cause the Executive of the whole Uni- I Pr^'sideniial elociion, and to the following eilect.
‘•Should Cl.i}’^ be elecled I was lo forward you, at
on has negotiaud with free and independent Texas
upon a matter vitally important to the interests of
both countries. And after nine years of unavailing
war, Mexico announces her intention, through her
Secretary of Foreign AfTairs, never to consent to
th»- Independence of Texas, or to abandon ihe efTori
lo rtconquer lhal Republic. She thus announces a
perpetual claim, which at the end of a century will
fuinish her as plausible a ground for discontent
against any nation, which al the end of lhal time
may enter into a Treaty wiih Texas, as she possess
es at ihis moment against the United Stales. The
lapse of lime cau add nothing lo her title to indrpeU'
dence.
A course of conduct such as has been described,
on the part of Mexico, in violation of all friendly '
feeling, und of the courtesy, which should charac- '
lerize the intercourse between lh( Nations of the |
Earth, might well justify lh» Unii d Slates, in a re
sort to any measure lo vindicate; ih^’ir national hon
or; but. actuated by a sincere desue to preseive the
general peace, and in view of the prtsenl condition
New York city, 12 lbs. of fine fresh butler, per ex
press ; should Polk be elected you weie lo forward
me per express five cans of oysters.” 'I'iie result is
now known — Podi is elected. Clay is bound for tho
head waters of Salt River : you have lost the oysters
and 1 am the winner.
Now, sir, relying as wc did upon cacli olhei’3
honor in this mailer, allow me to say lhal 1 shall
expect lo receive from you, by the 25th of this
monih, the five cans of oysters, as from the opinion
formed of you by me, I am confident you will not
hesitate lo a wager so fairly laid and so clearly
won. Please send the oy&lers lo R. S. Sievens, At
tica, who will reccive them and forward to me.
Very respectfully yours, for Polk,
iNlABY West.
New Yokic, Dcc. 10, 1841.
i\lAD.\M; I am favored wilh your letter, dated
D«c. llih, in which you refer to a bet made be-
of Mexico, ihe E.xecutive resting upon its integrity. j 'J- last Augijsi, while travelling together m
and not fearing but lhal the judj-ment o? the world • Ijiatueboro . I confess that the afiair
will duly appreciate its motives, abstains from rccom
mending: lo Congress a resort to measures of re-
had nearly slipped my memory, until the receipt of
your favor. You will remember I only^ heard
dreys7n»'rcontelirritserf 'wflh ie n'rsinsupon Ihut yo'*'' ‘‘i*'!' "''j'’" "1'^'
bodv prompt and immediate action on the subject of putted. Had 1 had the pU-aauro oj your perso-
nal acquaintance, 1 could not certainly have been
so forgetful. But I remember distinctly your dis
cussion of the political topics of the day surprised
me by ils lone of inlelligence and confidence. Thai
you found yourself lo be correct in your calculation
is very apparent, and though 1 should have been
more happy lo have won the “twelve pounds of fine
fresh bullet ”—all the sweeter from your having a
hand in it—I nov/ most cheerfully cornply with
your most reasonable request, and transmit this day
to your order, per Express, ” five cans of fine fresh
oysters.”
“ May good digestion wait on appetite—and
heahh on both.”
Yours, for Clny,
.T. A. PULLE??.
body prompt and immediate aclion on the subject of
Annexation. By adopting that measure, iht Uni
led Stales will be in the exercise of an undoubted
right; and if Mexico, not regarding that forbear
ance, shall aggravate the injustice of her conduct
by a declaration of u’ar against them, upon her
head will rest all the responsibiliiv.
JOHN TYLEK.
Washington City, Dec. 19, 1844.
GOV. HAMMOND’S LETTER.
This clear, calm, and profound view of the oppo
sition to the question of slavery, will be read wiih
interest by every Southern patriot. The interfer
ence of the Abolitionists of Europe is still more ag
gravating than thatol our own people ; because they
are free from all responsibility for slavery in the U.
States. We call the attention of our readers to this
document with the more pleasure, as it is temperate
ly written.—Fedevnl Vnioi't.
5 OR 600 Bushels of corn to sell 50 cents cash
by JOHN W. P^TS.
OcTt)b^4