"ft
f
DAVID OUTLAW,) rdltr.
THUS. J. LIS JI.1V, 5 Ed,tor8
- " 1 11 1 l i .,.
TIIO.TI.4S J. I.E.TIAV,
r&OPRIETOK A.D FUBLIJUKH.
ViimjT, tare dollar per annam our
bilfii nlvance. Suliieribert in alhtr Slalti
.vio.itt-he allowed tarcmVoLrrMlm. c:
th in one rear, k persona irtiilrnl iihnntthi
State, who mar rieaircto become tubMrilxi'i
will be ttrierlT required to pay the whole a-'
in mint ofthe yar iubci iii()i, in advance.
imrwinm iimr, inr one Hollar, and len-
jr-fie eenlt lor each continuance.
I.ktti (o the Kdilitr mint be pout paid.
express his opinion, as to what it is best
fo do, and- that a Senator dare not ex-
to cnnaorer - I hope not.
Thit is a delicate subject: would
ta.God.it had nat,bcen.DretieJ..jinoB
us; bujt an it is placed here by the peti
tioners, we must dispose of it. To en
able us to do so. we' must tl.inlr
RALEIGH, N. 0. THURSDAY, ftJAHCH 31, 1036
T-kir lir ilIu.8tr"ti(m the case of a ing, but where the f
riM".? thif ?laV-C8 10 '" cerneTwXfn
VOL X2VIL NO. 15
uvaie it. Suddenly- it is discovered
inai one halt til them is concerned in a
plot-to destroy the I
his family, and neighbors, with a view'
to produce their freedom. .n,i
p,r who or without I
SPEECH OF JUDftE WHITE,
In the Senate of the United Mates, On
Mr. President I address vou under
M ini: inn .... ...... r .
......... , icdsuru nr so minninc
It is not by speaking upon it we
will be likely to do mischief. Every
L? lpPenj9 ulK,r tlc femner with
which we express our opinions, and ihe
sentiments we advance. My wish and
aim is, if I can do no good to do no
harm, and if 1 believed in what I nro-
rwwo a W . 1
if aajr, g wouiti u'tfr a senti
ment from wilier mischief would be
protluced, I would close my lips, take
my seat, and content myself with yea
or -nay j to every question proposed by
.yl'ierSvJeaveverjr pccaoitat Jibexljr.
to conjecture the reasons for my votes-
. .. Permission to state, as
briefly as I can, someof thereasons for
the course I. shall pursue. - - ,
' i ill tioinn- inu I . i. i - ii
"linn t llirsril ni fienatnt-a
. . . .
... 1 . . a lie I
ior illustration th r k.. .:. i , . .
v -vwav ui a i 1 1 1 ' ij ii i. iipra i a .. a i. i
7 "".v ".ttj me lives
w TKasTers ai e
lO r:o-ht tit avnr.
cis me same liberality.
- With great deference for the opin
ton of -.others-,-1 tliink the force of -thnr
whole argument rests of. a ..i-a..
,Wiliiw'mirwiiBw
i ; . : a. .. f
ny chance for an iaJp..;.-- CV.i.". I , slave, within
,!;.,:... . . . "v pu iniiimu unui alter it h
tliu
in an a
I C - aHi as
uenrived of hia nf-nnnrfv
t j-.vuvi ii " UII
s averj in the District, and no where kiy opinion th ToWi," tu.i
flse would we- be-boumtto-reeeive-P,eof;Co,,f' o SnteifeNt vUhtb.aub.
thrsev petitions? No more than e Jrj . Try '? bU,fk:' c" i.
are . bo.nd t. receive Petitions from 17 cl
r rancf or vtcrmanj.-
CADV Ml l.'llill.,llnnl.nM ..lit ... .
mr , , w wiiii certain Clllo
men. if -r.T r'-T- -..w." in.
girature of Alabama, feel bound tn-A"'?.i,mti"
nd to i- A"w"Te,"nmV""ereneber
t , l,,e eorrPol-nce, forth i
the s. lemn cmiviclion thaf if this Uov-
erninent is to continue to accomplish
the wrest purpose for which it was es
tablished, it can only be, by adminis
tering it in the same spirit in which it
was cteated. . ,
When the Constitution was framed
-jl v"l;.'.v.. - t... : .... i
nrir aiijiitiru ami seitietf.
They' were settled upon principles
that "Ought to rnniiin uridisturlx-d so
" i.in. nun IVHM I Tt Konotn.. . : r
i. ......: i i... c. r i.i ... .- .iiiiitff irom en ip
...'V.tJll.Jn ,or aitnouyii hD- the Kast or the Wm h v .t
.'i .1- t ,u' i- . aiium, in particu ar, but to the Senate
vet I think the Ltimn w nn.i..i.1.. i i rr. '. 1111 senate
tthe.rroritvnfi;i.r. v a "i1 i L . - " V1,0,e. ?nate-, brcauae if it is de-
V r .i -n " . B,n?(1 ns 1 believe it s, thatweshnuM
mstiiin nf tlip I nnitniirM . I . "i "C SHOU.U
utVd i,. 1n;; , rr: zn "e pie..
. , ' ' a ucep interest in l i s matter, th
"Z y to the agitation and excitement mastasV.
; r . h-'. ' ::'," nat then t . as mo8t
aucht to
as we
m.u. Biijiineiier-.iiKeiy to put an end to thn
ence on t!ie part ol the Fedeia (inv- fviplintra wl-ii.k
i . . . . "p.-. "invii mnv uirvanr
twr. gentian w4w has addressed receive these petitions. It j. a mere
.r, i.n. vft7-i-. in rvcrv slave- nupRf i,ri i.i
. - ii iai iiiki ni
nuan tuaKe oi mem. All who
spoken admit that
nara.lma......-r1I I ' - "
J. '." ,tl oium- nas ho power whatever nvPr .1,,.;. :
lie rpsn.-rf it-a Kiniw ii ,r
t, !. ..... i".. ' . . .... ""I" V : I J . ..ociiiru..
uui, ...V .rie ana wtMhcrsfavery rin-trt or wron we
aflllhtu.l u-liaf la nniu ll.. T: r 1 " " 1 ""? " c
"u" ,,,,vc n,w no power Ut consider or dis-
... i .cu vomprenenueu cuss. Suppose, then, a petition were
whIho two otihe slave-holding States, presented ' to abolish shivery in 5l?c
....v .-.., ,..p,,.,. states, would we receive ii?
.3Uii!ie neo an me tietails ot Ihe ly we ouht not.
uunniuiitiii ii.ui ueen aajustcu, it hud askin" us to
ocjn it.reseen, that the District of Co- which we have nn tin,,.,.
luiiib.a would be rot med out of a tract Hut these are petitions EskinK Con
of tountry ceded by those Stales, and gress to abolish slavery in this District
itoaterf -m- Ihexeirtro-bet ween them, -ttave ' We" the power? - Mnk not. I
i had bern asked of the Members ot consider the argument of the Ilonora
the Convention, what do you intend ble Senator from Virginia, Mr Leich
as to the District? You have placed npm, that p.,int, exclusive. It lias'
the question ol slavery in the Slates, hut ho.
nt;l ,,l,.r '.. 1 . . "."' it't ue
j .....v... i.icii I...IUHM viim hi neve it can be,
ineir respective I
that Coiiirress shall have th
holdin-r State therefore, it is only urg- tion we s
ed tliat Congress has the power to a- have yet
bolish slavery in the District of Colum- has ho no
bia. It should never be forgotten that the
Assured-
because it would be
act upon a suhiect ovpp
. ,f - -
slll.'.a U.i t.i.mn....
respective hm.'s. do you intend in this Dnlrict Canary cmn... .L-
lOWcr III nrivittr nrnno.-lw m, f.. ....;
, ,. . . i - i i .,-. tu iui lnwur ukc,
aooilsn Maverv in the Dmtrirt? witl Illllt lllfiLituv ..
.,.. 4 - . , ...un... i nr IIailOI) to
Wool.1 not every man have answered the owner. N fund is urovided by
in thc n-gat.vc? thp Constitution to pay lor fcaves
It has been saul that when petitions which may be liberated, and the
to abo .sh slavery ore presented to Constitution never gives Confess the
cither House ot Lin"-tess, those who nower in art Ii linn ij i tr o . . k : l . i
demantl the question whether they shall out, at the same time, furnishin-the
be received, and thus produce discus- means for it rn,nni!.i t .1-
cm for
n.,:.i,.
liaeemit t.i uo air. i.n USor a individuals, nor the public shall us
moment consider the circumstances of them. I will not -weaken the lumora
t'ne country, and the situation iowhich-ble members argument by froiixf overit
ITe"' . n t was intended as th
. - . - , v
Imp iIisnniAt ..J .. " . -
. .. ....,M .v mm aiixiciy oi iiiinu occa
sioned by a loss of confidence in his
remaining slaves. It cannot have
been intended that
on this subject, should have "a power
Mine , i .
'"",u ".iion a uestruction of slave
property.
lo me it seems that we
treat these petitions precise
would do, if they prayed us
slavery in oneofthe Urates. Wre hare
i.oe-fHwer-to-atofrs1flrTJSryir.
ii;cieweJhum1
111 fill. I t. that .f
hepetitmhers ask us to do that which
we nave no power" to do or in dr. ftt
wlli.ch.wilLbe .piujdu.ctisfiuifa greataml
asiiiig miscniet we not only have the
-rigM-bot that -it is our dttfy to refuse
to receive them.
By the Constitution no man can be
held to answer for a criminal charge
but by presentment, or indictmpnt
Suppose-'a " n'in'tim'ltre'ivniMT""
alleging that some citizen in the Dis
trict had been guilty of a crime, and
that he was soinflucntial that he coul.l
not be reached by the ordinary forms
of law in court, and therefore we are
asked to - pass a Bill of a tfaTf.3fli::
"Ought wc to receive the petition?
U"H' pruiion 0 asK US tn rnea n
law to prohibit any member of thi.
body from makinsa speech asrainst (Iip
prayer of the petitioners, would we
receive it? Sunnosp a netiiinn t i.
i . . v "
ICCeiv
ed.
I his is most clearly not correct.
oat weiave been do in x for the las
lew weeks is lull proof of it. Tiiese
petitions have been publicly read, thei
nun iviuicncy, anu our powers
to ajohsh slavery have been loii" un
tier uiscussion; has any man denietl
our right to ilo so? Not imp. h
I a . . " 7 V
onty iloiilit-Attgg -4v w4tether rt
y our snjui uuie, when a petition is
state it ontcttUVaairwhat. the.'peti-
iiuui-i wisitaitoum oe iotii, lie then
i nai me pennon maybe received.
"u Bpecines wnat ne wishes lo be
Jlauc. witn-it-afic tJLag xuuixtJL-M.
no member objects, lor the purpose of
navtrrg time,- rt TSTeceived an(t tlipos
ed of without formallv nrnMuiMftim.
question of reception: but if nny
ui u- means ior hh accoinplishineiit.
ion, are agitator, and produce excite- liberate slaves is not takina them
nient on this delicate subject. To me public use. It isdeclaringthat neit
mere are iweoiv-iour ntaies. aev. n h ui.nr. .h,. . i i : .
. . . . i ..... jjirai uusmess oi me
eial I erritori.-s. and this District, nation should be transacted for the
lhirteen or these States have no slaves, good of the whole. Congress under
Ihftf'Vfrt.WfmftrTTiFge Tlfehi'lif gislate u9m those subjects rm.mpr.t,.l
all the property they own. During the and sjiecified in the Constitution, that
pastyear,:- rt-hassir:bappened,-that we mightiirble to protect ourselves r
many newspapers, pampMets, and pic- and the officers residing here and be
tonal rej.ritsejimuons m.au e meir ap- out iU.thej:eac!i,oi tnc Jaw l auy
nearanre. and through thp mail, ami liv Htita It i . . -
- v. .t...,. njs cii:i iiiieiiui'n int.,
...L ' I I . . . ... . " "V
jar nirniis, extensively ciicuiateti in should Have any oca e.rUUtu.n ...
the Slave-holding Slates. By tese cept such as would mvet the wants'and
i-ecsHneo-motn -ew tte ifle -'tm-'itnin'MioafvWe'hiinf'
...co,. a.i. u.s.n tier- in various places, never permit this place to be convert
... Krimrui, ii nccerr, iii a sum- eii into a political work shop, where
mary manner, to put tu death several plans would be devtpd .,r,,,.i.J
In various quarters of the Union there :destrovihir tlie in threat f ia.iL
Were-wtHHinhtairM-nf-'-iHnntsWKr.:"TfiT... a J ,c
"p " j.. , mtir I 4 UlillCB.
pressed their opinions with great fre
loin. In the course of th fall and
winter, many of the State Legislatures
have been in session they have been
tldresseil on this subject' by their re
spective Governors. They have ex
pressed publicly their opinionsthe
rWident, in his message, has invited
'he attention of Conres to it h
Senate has referre.l that part of the
message to a Special Committee, which
n sue a ipniinv rpnnrt s...
- . - ..j r vvuih'
panied by a bill, which is now um.n
'r docket, and must, in due, course,
be discussed, ami eilher itassed or re.
:.. i . .. . .
ycciea. Are all these to be called
agUator$. and charged, with unneces
jsarily producing excitement? If not.
ow is a that members of Congress
r-B ue mus tnarged when petitions
jre presented that we must in some
"mile dispose of? Each of us must
uggest such mode as we think most
orrect, and none can iustly b liahU
any soctr-ThargRif tnf reTsanV
rong, it is found in thoap. ;
"di a state of Dublin r.i;n. t
re their petitions opon us.! Tlit
etltions arc forwarrlail n ,
. i - . - - w ...cuiiirra
i , "v" uij iu present, them;
r preseniearotbers-thinkt 4leir
rrtj-wniiiBim-Tiw
ly shall be received. I. it
Jtv tHi. delicate tubjert. every oEetr of
un.iiuuiiui, can
Members of Congress, Executive,
.....viai u.ncers, were to come
from any, and every section of the
union, i-rom the slave-holding, and
-..v-..u,u,g oiares, nnti meir
property was to be as secure here, in
mis len miles square, as it was in the
oiaies irom witicn they respectively
came. They would brfng their habits
ana their domestic servants with them.
those from the non-slave-h nliliiii
Si.i.. it..:, l: i . . .. o
;"" u'eir nireu servants, anu those
from the slave-holding States their
.ia.ru, uu who can ueneve it was in
tended to vest the power in Congress
to liberate them if brought within the
district.
Again, the right of property in slaves
in the States is sacred and beyond the
power of Congress to interfere with, in
any respect yet if it be conceded
that we have the power to liberate them
in -the District, we can a pfT-rtiiallw
ESA" t!iJ??r UliLwfi iaiiha pQ wel
tii liberate slaves in th t.i. u.
abolishing slavery here, we not onlV
make a place of refuse for ro.lw.
but we produce a spirit of .lnn..'
and rebellion in the minds of slaves in
the neighboring States, whiek ;n
soon spread over-all, a ndwhich cinz
noTlaiUo compel owners to destroy
their own lives, ami those of jhefc
'li!lren. JJcseeiKgentlei
nn to. look at this mattrr as it is.
offereiLaskingns to. eatablislua parti
(utaf religion in this District, or to pro-
IDlt any publication in a newsnnnrr
on Ihe subject of abolishing slavery,
unless it was previously annrovpd nf
i . -rr.-.
oy a rommitteer Would we, ought
we, to receive any such nptitinn?' I
think, most certainly, we nurdit rot.
suppose we have thp nnwr ;
here any Senator who believes wp
ougi.t exercise it? I trust not. Thns
who urge the reception of this petition,
winch is Irom the Society nf Friends,
ave -spoken most highly of the peti-
loners and Ihe class of ritiena
which they belnnnr. Tn nil i
heerfully "concur. These particular
persons are strangers to me. I doubt
ot tne ntintv ol (heir mn;.pc. i,
sect to winch they belong is worthy
ti all the eccomiums passed upon it. I
respect antl esteem them most li'lilv
mi. i no noi iei-1 mat -in my romposi-
iioii uiere is a particle ot unkindness
towards them: but I think thev unnM
lltttJA i.a .1.. 41. .1 -..!
ui uU i,,ul w men we nave no
power to io, and if we had the power,
by exercisinn; jt, we should do infinite
mischief. ThisnierrelilMmerstlrr
t-tirsire. i ney ,ave discharged
what they thiak is their duty by having
their petitions presented; "ionly dis
charge mine when I say, consistent
ly with what I feel to be my duty, I
cannot receive them.
But it is further insisted, that the
rhte -petitiowiisxmmtr fin-eTltiat
belongs to the nature of free govern
ment, and existed before the form,.
tion of our Constitution, and lhat in
strument tlitl not give the right to pe
JitHm, but intetwld only 4o secure it.
This is sound doctrine, and has my
hearty assent.
The people are sovereign, mem her.
have aigM jo ' make- known thetsuh
. 1 - - -j - "'"vi i"'i icirr, . -
V ... , ... .. ""j
uicoiuer oujects, ne may call lor the
r??'lM,S "Mihen urge Ins reasons yJiy
it snouia not be received.
This rule establishes no new doc
i.in. : : c. t i
'"v, his i ou un en in irooil sense is
perfectly consistent with the riht of
petition, and is laid down as the cr
reel pratice bv AIr..-.Teflr.M. in - t,f.
.. ... j ,...,.. ... I..,
Manual t page 1 40.
nai is me nsrht of t ip npiiii..npr?
T ... . . 7 -
i consists m nis having Tree permis
sion to make known to Congress v. hat
he esteems a grievance, ami to ask
them to provide a remedy. When his
petition is presented, ihe tlutv of Con
Kress commences. ..That consists in
the members "maklhg themselves ac
quainted with the contents of the
petition,- and granting its jirayer if it
be just and consistent wilh the public
....,..,,. ,,, i triuniiig io receive me
petition, or making some other dis
position of it, w hich In their judgment
will more conduce to the good of the
luiiiiuuiiiiy.
When we refuso to receive -a neti
tion. we no more destroy orimpair the
riSm oi peuiinn, than wc do when we
receive the petiton and lay it upon the
lnUI. . -1 J . , i
iau,r, u, lejerime prayer ot it, or re
fer it to a committee who rennru !.
it is unreasonable, ami ought not to be
granteti.
Tl nanl. jl .a
... im in inese caseg, the rom
plaint of the petitioner had been heard,
considered and decitled on. In
neither instance has he obtained n r..i
dress for what he supposed a grievance,
but each leave's him equally at liberty
to renew his petition at any subsequent
period.
Four modes have been stigjrsletl by
which to dispose of this an.l nil nfl.e.a
on the name subject:
I he hnst we have been considering
and is to ref u in rnr.;.
The second is to rr r.irn tl.Am I . -.
ttiein on me table and ihPr ft,.
lie.
The third
then
brtit,pub
atliattoH " tti" "" '
Maine or Penn.vU.i. Tl.: W hl. to Ihe
. ,, . .- '. " ' "'"upit! ""'or oi .ut iwiiiiMt, for twalmt o in hi
es within their own State? A a. paper In the e.
mi redly not. If that be.so, is it not ' ed 1 " luerio with ihis
mosi reasonable, when we are called JT:". ,uereiw ppear at ihe same
upon io pass an act confined exclusive.
TV t A ftiia TYtirntiT- it. - . r . i
tv tO I hi a Tltb..?.. .t... .... 1 I
V " ii-i, mm we siiouidron
tlnrt tnu-nrila il.- ..l . I .
:, . " . ",,r "ere, as .11 in
mis matter they were our constiti.
ents?
in ii not be time enough to re-
ceive petitions on this subject when
they are presented on behalf of thn.
upon wiiose property; alone, it is laid
rrre ta-ve wmrttr
tl I I ' . .
uuiniiuuic .jiii a tors r.ave toiii u
there ,ara.l.t8s.s5;;
ram
down the mtsclnevousrlflss: wliirh .
small in numbers. .
IfkllKt nnt ' 4l.:l. -11. ... . ..
...-. . mum ns r lev nv. All urn
,ow-, ihatMm per.4taa..b.icry
,i.!!HT)ll!Ahfni whether few
or many. , .
rheir newspnners. their mmrUlpf.
nd pictorial representation imvp h.nn
plenty. They h
-tlu-nugh the mltiHand brtithrr-meaTr.-
n great abundance, and if we are to
live together as one people, they must
slop- It is vain to reason with nen.
pie about the liberty of speech, and of
'"p Prei8 w!Lei'b?r hyes are putat
hazard. When the domestic '"circle is
iiivaJettlwIfeiv
his provisions, lest his cook has been
prevailed on to mix poison with . big
looti, or uarc not Ko to sleen. lest the
servants will cut the ihr,.i. f k:.
- a a - " ' " Ml
sen. his wite, nd children before h
nvvakes, ne will not .ml,,..
tine.
I am, sir very rcjpectfufyv-
Vour obrdei.t enrant. " "
James B Uallory, Eq. -JS'orlh
Carolina Corretpondtnce. .
His Escelleocy Martin Van Duren. .
Hear Sir. A nortion of n... (n
1- .L' . .. -..ww-...
-v... ,., wctton, leei.njf a deep anxie'y as
IV3?0 'Sr 1 "L BMitMii;iW-
altcct, nnr lmm.,l;.i. ..lr .. . '
r.i-.-!l n l w ana nipiiteaa.
iiUiU-peei- propwrnd -trttir,'ih4 '
tollnwinr interroi-atorv. to w,l.t. K - -
. . . . " "- - mm m ion
DOT0ii.rm iriinAri.;r:r.i:;
mvftift Coft. W;fi. power, t o i merafer.
w th or kbotlaB-k.-i!rtir-'n'r.tera
lumlnV " ' . . '
The cnniplcoolll aitlia'mn ! ,l.:t.
e i laced, aod the impwiswe of . ihoroueh
IMUWllKo OtOMMUll; a. itu I h 1.1 .
!... "ar-
it. mil
when Jie canJay,LaiuU optmHtwewW
prompt to such deeds of miarhief ha
will not wait for the nnlimr, f-... -r
. . . Miasus 11 as S II i
vt isi iniiTSS lllin. Iff fnlrnat
lit h into his own han a an.l ...
thinz which accustom us in ;.i.. i. .1."
w, is a serious evil in ..
neeas ours, where the laws should
govern.
Ihe honorable Senator
sisstppi nas shown us something of tl
feelings of his State, w hich has sufTei
en much, in mine when
heard of pit nisliing persons in
sippi.. without legal trial, we thought
it all wrong, and some of our leading
" m jci cuuriCOUSir roiihit -To..ti
with it. Their col
ry until one of these diatrihui... -r
if.. . "'-niwuicn III
nooinion pamphlets was found !.. nr
most populous an.l respectable city,
andanasscrnblae-enf nur mn u.j.
an. discreet citizens immediately re
sorted for redress, to the same summa
ry process which had been used in our
sister State.
Public opinion mav hnvp .t
.1 . . . J - vn.ui-
swmeunn2oniriTS"6iiTiierF:
"... ' . . i -v
we
M
Mis-
he
fter
first
ISSIS
C feO,) JUNItm AVtIS, ,
S ; ISAAC HALL,
JOHN WALL, ,
YELLOW Of.
tTATi B ' 8 f ii b IC
. J AS. W. PUI2IXN
MARTIN VAN BUREN'S REPLY.
Itashington Atarch 6M, 1836
Gentlemen I have the honor to ac,
knowledge-thereceiptof-y0Bictrer
which is felt by a portion ol y,r fel
ow, c,5'"n9 to my ..vfc; upon a-
.T..,...,,,ll,K,lnjr,i,fjf lmmdiate
welfare ami happine8 and of the
imnortama of their being possessed of
a thorough knowledge o themt and
SsWmi
not believe that congress has the con
a itut.onal power to Interfere with, or
btHbslave!7-wthe District of Co.'
lutnbia? .
I am'not pn)rTIiniriiMrji-r-T...
fc 4 1 , 1- i nil HUB.
g--'Olleme ., that you should h. tl.-'
most thorough knowledge jif my views
and feelings upon the delirate and in.
tererting subject with which your
question is cobheWil. .n.t ttri:-
tleavor to acquaint you with them in the
lullest manner lu my power.
Not havinr. hrretofnre h..l tu. i.
ar or being in political communication
with, job, I am not advised whether
me sentiments relating t u -i.:,l.
have been avowed by myselfand by
my authority, within thV tasi tn
years, come to your knoh-ilo-er
leem if therefore -proper, to furnUl. ,
you with the substance of them, h
f , " w vast, ut,
lore I reply to yoor more specific in
quirr. I he avowals to which I refer
were
I L tiriu. ..I
onty one attempt to estab!i-h a
ior such - publications
hoium
in
pres
ny slave
CTi . nvt . -
niar. i i . . .. . . i i ...
0... . i ne ntfiziiuors oi the
gentleman informed him that his pres.
would be productive nf ITliar Ki r . . I
h . .. ' . nil -I, dllll
e must nut pat.l.K.t. :. . .i
rerpirp than. ... I. . .. :."'""" n
' .. in. I4...I .1 III!
1st. An opinion that CongrtM has
r to any extent, with the subject of
slavery m (he stab t '
la tr
instantly reiect the Tmvpr rS tK ...t.rt. t.- " wWHhrth r r ml..-- . . " '
peu , oners . to proceed, and ho wrk X
The fourth ,s o receive thorn, refer replied if he did. they w, utd nnJider ' Mi(lw'' yht Co! "
mitfee make a report upon them. 00! bmaasTKS hirai.-u-enr.fS
I prefer the first, because, when we streets. This mclaln?li inVV,ve'1 in the Melioration Which 4 -
r'ltu
returned to those who sent them, antl (hose with whom he had to deal wotild T rt'.nt" n which it was found- '
I!1 Jjonglj discountenance keep their word. lie d 5 c re "V bj",, ni honor and gm,H fa?n, '
all hone that Pnnnrt . ..1.. .... . , . "VVll, reiir- i,w..n,., r . ,r 6 -
v - - ',,a,-j- -a,wta 1 an, f s x I'll in m ii&ki 11 lajaaia t!.j a . a i--""'r''wriM ijr 1 iBW r rtvmm a w
1 iai ir imaginary. s e
can pans mi lavy, we ran make no rule.
A I. . I S . . a ... "
10 aornige or destroy that right
But what Jo srentlem en "ni ea'ii w hVh
they- speak of the riaht. of Petition?
Do they mean that when the petition
is presented that we must receive it,
and do that which is prayed for? No.
Not one member contended for this;
so far from it, they say, that if the
language of the petitioner i ilisrp.
spectful to the body, or to any mem
ber of it, we may, and ought to refuse
to receive it
vr :. w . ...
ia tuisr I ne" that wp mar
reflect SerillUslv Unnn thia maltne
J ,. --. ...........
vvearesDouttoestabl sh a dortr ine in
winch lean never yield my absent.
Are we to be exalted ahnv. ntie em .
ployers? Is our dignity to be of high-
rr cooaiueraiion man the property and
hvesof those whosend us here? Ifs
petition contains matter eharrrin-. dla.
r..l 1. . .. e - o -
tuiiuuci on tne Senate or any
of its members we mar nnt :
but if it contains matter which is to
destroy the slave property in this Dis-
f ncr, anu in eleven States of this Tr.
on, an.l aiso to endanrei- th - li.a
an4 dwellings of wry citi.en-within'
their limits, we are bound to receive
it? - -. .-
Thia is the doctrine contained in th-
arguments. I deny that there is any
such distinction obe found in a single
feature of our political i
TieJuETsj1i jMMio-tho- power-in
both instances to refuse to rereive the
petitions, bot in eterciain- ir m'h toi
wrstlve onIy-aressal1et7we6uB
lwj Wot liberally in rcceiy.
in each of the other three,, we. re
tain the petitions. nlac.' thm'
.fileain the estodyrof;or omeernd
t n7 subsequent session they ar
here, and it will be competent for any
.......... , . ., c lMeir reierrnce to a
committee whereas, if returned to th
peuuoners, 11 mey ever again make
uieir appearance, it must be by their
. t-ou.iv mm re-presented.
I think that nlan i the mnd
11 ... - "
oie, ami win be most likely to calm
tne imturbance . in the slave States,
w.ucii win most strongly manifest to
... hi every quarter, that Congress
will not interfere with slavery as it
exists in the States and in this Dis
trict. If these petitions are received, I
then think the disposition of them pro
posed by the Senator frnm Ppnn..l.
vania the next best that is, imme
diately to reject their braver. This
would be far Dreferahln
ilently on the table without express
ing any opinion "whatever. '
. There is another aspect in which
this question may be viewed that h..
had great influence on rnr own mind.
U6osreptnr herirartheIT.Ta
ture of the whole Union, and also as
the only Legislature for ih W.i
rerns of the District of Columbia.
These petitions do not ask us to make
general law, operating throughout
the whole Union! iiit . t.
tTOTtrofwhUrfeT5Temn t "entirely"
opori propertri within Iip ten :ta
9MHt-1Smjt we , wer utH.rmt as
well as in substancc. a local Legisla
tnrt when ictini on this i.. inn.
2d. .AgaibKthe propriHroHhrir
tlomg so in the DUtrict of Columbia!
ar.d ; , '
3dly. The sfalemcnt of my full con
eliriAiiav ' . atl. ." .
ngltis wriZ.mM b??&tf mtki
.. .. v.r a,m. ce.- ! i,at the relation of.
Master ami Slave is a matter exdu- '
Wo thrpeople-of ear hV -5 J
State w.tlnn its -own boundary, an.l that
any attempt by the Government or peo-'
geiincmen to consider that it
is of no cntisenuenre tn n, .,Kii,.. .1...
flbol ittomsf s, 1 14. their States, are man v
or Tew; their- puWication ar m.
rous; they have already prodeced
much mischief, and if ner. Ip,I in
must end in consequences to be for
ever regreted by us all.
For myself, on the subiect of the
disposition, we may make of these pe
litions, I can have no other wish than
that it mar be such.
i "... .iiuii lenti
to allay excitement, ami ,t.. n...
harmony, which is so essential tn thp
common interest of our wholt country.
YAK BPTO LElTEKi
COItltESPONDKNCE
Jfirhtini9 4 a r.t toi4
HUhe South, and perfectly ..ti. Uioxy. Bttt.
m.i " - Miuuiivi afigyour
.kp .I,. 1 k - 0" ":wriet question. I
e.,,fv. 1Jb'7,1,hercfor"' "r qetinr a
candtd avowal of your opinion on the con.ti-
Z 7 t n r lne ""abiitntof ihe Dis
irict of Columbia. Do you mean to tay. when
you say that you art "agtonat propriety
ol aeitulinr the oneatiuo In th. .li..:..k .1 -.
CoR.U n pwee Wer-trw fVdfral
Constitution to interefera with lh slae
ques' ioti? Any reply which you may think
proper to make, will and me here for tha
neat ten day,. ,m , Admi,..tr.ti1, ' nv."
and s IJelcg.te from the county 0r Biuns
I have lhp honor to be. '
. tt l u yrea re,ect,-
Youf nh. . -
tVtfhinrUn. Jf....l 1.1 mM
, - f 'viii in if,.
... bnj mer ctate. or by the General
Government, to interfere v. i.i, or dip.:
turb it, would violate the spirit of that'
comnrom.se which lies at the basis of
tne teoeral comract.''..That we ran,
oi'ly hope to maintain the Union of tho'
States by abstaining from all interfere
ence with the laws, domestic policr
antl peculiar- interests of every other'
Sta,e-rTh.t sllsuch hterO ;
which tends to alienate one portion
ofour countrymen from the rest, de-
serves to be frowned upon with indigna. :
tion by all who cherish the principles of
our revolutionary fathers, L who desire
to preserve the Constuution by the ex
erc.se of that spirit of amity vhich ani.i
matedits frsmers.Thatthey depre- .
cated the conduct of fhn.. .k
tempting to coerce their Krt..- : .L -
er State, inlo the on oZ,
bv annual tk. 'erj.
S.w P"Von of the slayej ,n(J that '
hey could not but consider them :
kadT
diatilrllpra. C .iL. '
"T'C'."y " "nMitutmnal means, ex- "
wt their influence to Srrest the pro,
S1'"4 ' of uch measures:'-"'rhat r
whilst they would maintain inviolate the '
liberty of sneech and th. frmmA
which,- from their nature, tend to in.'
y jah?JrVesand propertyoMW
fellow cit.xens, at war with every rvle
of moral dUtv. Wnd s Vnrv h.m...i.
. me nonor lo cki
humanity, and irW-ftVoTne""