137 ROBERT WRITE MIDDLETON.]
I3IPORTANT PUBLIC DOcUNIEN'P.
Report of the vilistority orate
Committee appointed by the House of Re
presentatives to investigate the tiffairs of
the Canal Commissioners.
(CONCLUDED FROM OUR LAST.]
But after all this prying into private
conversation, inviting the aid of discarded,
faithless agents, and disappointed office
hunters—nothing has been found to mili
tate against the integrity, fidelity and zeal
of the Canal Commissioners, or any of
their agents. Not as under the late ad.
ministration. No Judge Martz has been
found committing forgery, to defraud the
Commonwealth, and then fleeing from jus
lice to escape the Penitentiary. No Wil
liam B. Mitchell, or F. McCague have
' been found issuing certificates, instead of
paying the cash which they had drawn
from the state treasury, and then obtaining
receipts in full from honest laborers and
contractors, and thus cheating them out of
thousands•of dollars of the hard earnings of
their industry. Although for a portion of
the last.ydar, while many of the old agents
were retained on the Columbia Rail-road,
the motive power, as it had always done
before, failed to maintain itselr, yet it gives
the undersigned pleasure to know, that
• . . since a thorough reform has taken place,
under the management .of the - present ex
_ cellent Superintendent, it not only supports
itself, but yields a handsome surplus.—
The State has every reason to feel proud of
the integrity and energy, which pervade the
• the whole management of our noble system
of internal improvements, and to look for
ward with increased confidence to their fu
ture usefulness and productiveness. All
the obstacl6B thrown in the way—all the
odium attempted to be cast upon them by
party operations, for party purposes—al.
though they may, retard, cannot stop their
progress to complete success. We have
every assurance, that the present vigilant,
intelligent and efficient Board of Commis
sioners, aided as they are by active, indus
trious, and competent subordinates, will
continue to facilitate the transportation of
freight and patisengers upon the public works ,
and thus not only increase their productive
ness to the State, but afford general eatisfac
tion to our own business men, and insure
' public confidence abroad. This ought to
be the anxious desire of ue all.
. It is proper only tonotiee; in brief detail,
the . several objections made by the ma
jority, to 'the management of the public
• works.
let. They complain, pf the dismissal of
the:officers and workmen employed under
Alio late administration, and allege that those
,substituted . intheir..piacp, ) ; am inexperieo
- Cedi' - --
The public offices and employments un.
tier' our government, belong to the people.
No set or faction of men, have an hereditary
or prescriptive right, - to them. It is incon.
sistent with the genius of onr institutions,
to employ one set of agents during life, to
the exclusion of all our other citizens.—
When .the people deemed that abuses had
lio largely accumulated under the late ad•
ministration, as to render it necessary to
'change the appointing power, they also
willed that the instruments of abuse should
be'remOved. If their place was supolied
by men of less experience, the reason is
obviriar;—tbe last administration took care
to give none who - differed from them in'
politics, an opportunity to acquire experi
ence; for none of them were appointed to
office. But it is believed, experienced and
apt men have been . appointed; under whose
management the Commonwealth has suffi•r
ed no loss. It is said by. the majority, that
officers were remoYed, -on account' of their
political opinions. Even if this were true,
it is no very strong evidence of error in
the removal;—for those who hold bad
political r opinions, are not very likely to be
correct in their other notions. But this
objection comes with singular effrontery
from those who loudly- proclaim by their
word:Vaud actions that "To the victors be.
long the spoils." •
Every thing said with regard to the re
moval of Mr. Weistling, 4peurs to be
founded in error. He is no * C•tyAmoved, but
• transferred from one o ffi cel-',gr, another:-.L'
while Mr. Willis, although;:; excellent
officer, has been left out by anew arrange.
meat of the management" Of the Portag e
Rail-road.
2nd. The reason for Oining the loco
motive engines twice - ,,1: - . thrice per day','
was the great de fi cit?
.- of motive power
on the Columbia R -': ead. The late ad
ministration had "eat, - ly neglected to sup
ply the wants of thelicoad, and it therefore
became neeessaryvither to run double
trips, or leave the bast ess undone. Which
p?
course . was the pro r one, needs no argu
ment to demonstrate
3d. The majpriiy assert, that favorite
ism was shown to Mr. Leech in the rates
of toll cltckr'gldealiis boats and passengers.
Thistisseitionichieti not appear to the un
dersigned trateivarranted, but to be fully
contradicted 'by the evidence. In the•regu
lotions, of the 'Canal Commissioners, and
the rates of tolls directed to be charged,
there is no diminution in favor of any in.
dividual. Although a distinction is mad e
as it was under the late adrninistratiriii, be.
tureen freight and packet boats, and the pas.
stingers transported in them; yet the rates
ate uniform on all of the same class. no mat
ter by whom owned. If the collectors.dif.
fared as to the toll to be charged, it was
because they did not agree as to which
class the boat in question belonged. The
picket . boats wore exclusively for the con
veyance of passengers; fitted up in an
elegant style, with two cabins, and were
charged r with highest rates of toll;—anoth
er kind was for the transportation of freight
only, and paid the lowest rate;—another
class existed of an intermediate character,
with but a single cabin—designed to con•
vey either freight or passengers. They
were more coarsely furnished, and were
much Jess comfortable than the packets;
designed to accommodate emigrants and
the poorer and humbler class of travellers.
The toll was less than on packetti. The
evidence clearly shews, that on all boats of
this kind, the same toll was chargeable and
charged:
If Mr. Leech's line had any advantage
over others, it was because he chose to use
boats of this hitter description, arid accom
modate poor travellers, at a less rate of
fare. If the committee intend to complain,
because these humble passengers were not
made to pay as much as the rich gentle•
men, who travelled in the sumptuous pack.
eta, wo must entirely dissent from notion's
which seem to us so aristocratic.
4th The majority find fault becnusc
earlier preparations wet° not made to build
a new bridge at Clark's Ferry. It is true
that the bridge erected, under the late ad
ministration, was a worthless fabric —and a
portion of it is now fallen. But until the
present session, the legislature had made
no provision for erecting another; it would
have been illegal for the Canal Commis.
sioners to have made any preparations for
that purpose; and as it has been their in
tention to be governed strictly by. law, and
not expend money without authority, they
did not venture to prepare materials for a.
new bridge, as the majority seem to suppose
they should have assumed the responsipility
of doing.
sth. • It is said that boats were stopped
during a part of last season, for some lime,
nt Duncan's Island. It was clearly proved
that such has been the case every year
since the construction of the canal. For a
short time in the dry season of the year,
the water cannot be got into this,canal at
hnt point, fast enough to pass all the boats
without delay. This was owing altogether
to the defective and unskilful manner of
building the dam at Duncan's Island, and
the excavation of the first level from the
river. The dam, although its original 10.
cation, after it was partially built, was
abandoned with great loss to the common.
wealth,never has been tight enough to keep
the water. Enough escapes in dry seasms,
to impede the navigation of the canal for a
short time. In. excavating the first level, n
ridge of rocks was loft, at an elevation much
above the rest of the cenal,and quite across
its bottom—a short distance from the inlet
from the river. That was the, main cause
of the obstruction. It has been near)
removed this winter, and no difficulty is
apprehended in future. If there were error
nod want of skill displityed, in constructing
this part of your pubiic - works, the House
will have the consolation to know that it is
chargeable to former administrations, and
should therefore be charitably considered.
6th. The committee charge the Canal
Commissioners with neglect of duty for not
constructing a cut round the Baird's Town
Bridge; and insinuate that it was their duty
so to do under an act of the last Legislature.
That act authorized them "to examine the
situation of the Canal at the Bridge at
Bairdstown, and if they should think it
necessary • and expedient to construct the
cut" et cetra. The Commissioners did
examine it, and not thinking it necessary
and expedient did not construct it. They
have therefore not neglected but performed
their duty. if the law is intended to be
imperative, the "neglect of duty" in not
having it so, can he sought for in no more
probable quarter than among the Represen.
tatives of Westmoreland county, among
Whose constituents the work in question is
situated.
7th. Motive power. The majority o
the committee state, that Mr. Lawrence
proves that the cost of the motive power
exceeded the receipts for the last year the
alarming sum of 870,261 44. The under.
signed can find no such statement in Mr.
Lawrence's testimony. On the contrary,
it is shewn by the Canal CoMmissioners'
report that the excess is only • 815,403 56
While that of the preceding
year under the late admin.
istmtion was
Making a saving in favor of
the last year and of the
present administration of $38,201 65
Which will doubtless continue to increase
as all the old negligent officers are gradual•
ly got rid of. Here is another palpable er.
ror in point of fact into whiclrthe commit
tee have fallen.
Bth. Scrip• The undersigned cannot for
bear expressing their surprise at the re
marks of the majority, with regard to the
practice of issuing "Scrip" by the Superin
tendents. It cannot be believed that such
was the design of the report, but it is cer
tainly calculated to convey the idea that
Superintendents and Supervisors appointed
by the present administration have been in
the habit of drawing large sums of money,
applying it to their own use, isiumg Scrips
to the workmen,,and thus obtaining receipts
from them for cash.
That such was the practice extensively
under the late Administration is matter of
public notoriety. A ppl icat ions are annually
before the Legislature to indemnify those
who were thus dis Missed by William 13.
Mitchell and others. It is understood that
contractors and laborers lost by such moans
from $20,000 to $lOO,OOO of their hard
earnings.
But the undersigned are ignorant of Any
such practice underlhe present administra
tion. To guard against such reprehensible
acts, the Canal Commissioners in March
1838 issued instructions to their agents,
•
g' I WISH NO OTHER HERALD, NO OTHER SPEAKER OF MY LIVING /OM, TO KEEP MINE HONOR FROM CORRIIPTION."-SHAES.
eagegiqrainoaatat t , Z eE3vo graolhitzi. Gmax awn.
gates at the organization of the Convention,
was about sixty, which was afterwards in•
creased by the arrival of other membersoind
by gentlemen admitted to seats by vote, to
above one hundred members. It is to be re•
gretted that the busy season of the year pre•
vented the attendance of many farmers and
mechanics from the country, arid that so few
of them should have been in attendance.
Mr. BENJ. PARKE, Editor oftho Key
stone, called the Convention to order, and
nominated THOMAS M'GIFFIN, Esq.,
of Washington county,to tho Chair. • After
some preliminaries the Convention adjourn.
ed to meet at 4 o'clock of the same day.
At 4 o'clock the Convention wasfully or.
ganized by electing the Hon. JUDGE
BAIRD, of Washington county, President,
and a large 'Limber of Vice Presidents.
While the committee for drafting an Ad
dress and Resolutions were out, a member
from Monroo county rose and spoke in sub-
stance as follows:
53,1 1 05 2
838,291 65
Mr. President, the time having arrived
when it Is proper for members to express
their views as to the object and design to be
accomplished by this Convention, I shall
offer a few remarks. Sir, the object of this
Convention is to take measures for presorv.
mg the integrity of this great and happy
Union, by assuring the South that Pennsyl•
vania as a State abhors the motives, repu-
diates the doctrines, and contemns the meas
ures of the immediate Abolitionists. We
come not hero to examine the merits or de•
merits of Slavery. History sacred and pro.
lane, establishes the antiquity of its origin,
if not affords sanction for its continuance,-
We come here, sir, to oppose the scheme
of the immediate Abolitionists, which, if
carried into effect, must produce the dim•
lution of this Union, bring on the horrors
of a servile war, and deluge the land with
blood.
Nature, herself, clenrly shows that the
negro is unfit for socuil intercourse with the
white man. Look at the free blacks a
mongst us. Industry and economy form no
part of the negro characte freo •,
containing the following clatisia,.yiz:-.V That
you adopt no mode of settlement by which
laborers may rdii. loss, or ultimately be
deprived of their dues." And Bth of March
1937, passed the following more explicit
resolution:
Canal Room, March Rth, 1837.
It was Resolved, That no Superintendent,
Superintendent of Transportation or Motive
Power, or Supervisor shall he allowed to
commute with any person to whom the
State may become indebted; nor shall he
be allowed to issue Scrip or other evidence
of debt; or take receipts for money thut has
not been paid. And any Superintendent,
Superintendent of Transportation or Motive
Power, or Supervisor, offending against
this reg ulation, - shall forthwith be removed
from office.
Extract from Min. Board,
E. F. PENNY PACKER, Sec.
In vain have we searched Mr. Lawrence's
evidence to whom- the majority. refer, to
discover the foundation of the charge thus
made against the agents at present employ
ed. We are therefore constrained to believe
that it was a mistake in the committee as
to time and persons. If not, it is the duty
of the majority to name the individuals guilty
of such practices, that they may be forthwith
removed from office.
Although it was deemed advisable to in
crease the number of agents in proportion
to the increase ofbusiness, yet in all instan
ces have their salaries been reduced. In
deed it is believed that most of them aro too
poorly paid.
The undersigned view with great pleas
ure the present condition and prospect of
our public works, conducted by agents of
great industry and fidelity, they promise a
rich return fir the great expenditure they
have occasioned, and promise to realize the
most sanguine hopes of their friends, if they
should continue to be managed by honest .
men, and not become the plunder and the
engines of political aspirants:
In conclusion it may not be improper for
the undersigned to express their deep regret
that our noble system of Internal Improve
ment, which is calculated to confer upon
us so many and -great advantages and to
elevate the Commonwealth to a high rank
among her sister states, and the family of
' nations, should be selected as the battle
ground by political gladiators. If politicians
deem it their duty; in obedience to party,
to make perpetual, vindictive and expensive
war upon their opponents let them select
es the object of attack some less delicate
and important subject than our great Inter
nal commerce. Pennsylvania will find
enough to contend with in the rival interests
and efforts of her sister states, in their sur
rounding Canals, and Rail Roads, - and their
jealous warfare against her financial ascen
dancy, and in the malignant foreign attacks
upon her domestic institutions, without be•
ing compelled to guard against, and mourn
over the suicidal policy of her own children.
One of the undersigned J. W. Tyson,
perceiving that the testimony of Mr. Fenn
conflicts with that of Mr. Ayres, and not
being familiar with the other circumstances
stated in the report, declines expressing an
acquiescence on this point, but very cordi
ally concurs in all the rest.
Very cordially submitted,
H. M. WATTS,
WASHINGTON TYSON.
Monday,27th Marzh, 1837.
Onti.a.bolition Convention.
From, the Hanisburgh Telegraph.
Convention of the "Friends of
the integrity of the Union.”
This Convention assembled in the Court
House, in this place, at 10 o'clock, on Mon•
day, May Ist. The number °resent as dole-
cess to the privileges of education. they are
still ignorant. With the benefits ofthe gos•
pel within their reach, they are still deprav-
ed: • With—
• Chair. Is the gentleman from Monroe
about to make any ►notion?
Member. Not any in particular,
Chair. Then your remarksare not in or•
der. it is necessary that there should be
some motion before the Convention.
The Member, (looking toward the Con
vention.) If any one has any objection to
my expressing my views of the object and
design of this Convention, I bhall sit down.
Chair. The Chair decides that the gen
tleman's remarks are out oforder, unless he
intends to offer a motion.
(Several votes were here passed, when,
by leave of the Convention, the speaker was
permitted to proceed with his observations,
which he did for a few minutes to similar
effect with the above.)
Rev. Mr. HA YNES, from Allegheny,
then moved that the proceedings of the
meetingat Washington county,inviting other
counties to cooperate in calling this Conven
tion, be read at a convenient time.—Passed.
Adjourned till ten o'clock of the next day.
TTIFISDAY MORNING, MAY 2d, 1837.
Rev. Mr. HAYNES called for the rend
ing. of the Washington Resolutions, and the
Clerk accordingly read them, omitting that
resolution challenging the Abolitionists.to a
public debate iii that cotinty; as alsci the one
calling a county meeting. • - •
Rev. Mr. HAYNES then moved the fol
lowing:
I . Resolved, That, in. the opinion of this
Convention, it is inconsistent for any per.
son who believes in the doctrine of iminedi.
ate Abolition, to hold a seat in this Con.
vention.
He did not mean,
this
said, to point out
any . individuals by resolution, which
was-based on the original call to the Con
vention.* He could not believe that any
man' would be so lost:to all sense of honor,
as to come there under a mask, while he
knew himself to hold to the mad schemes
of the Abolitionists, which were threatening
the Union with dissolution; yet he thought
it well some such resolution should be pas.
sed, lest any thing might occur to prove it
was necessary.
-Mr. STEVENS, of Adams county, here
rose and attempted to speak. The Chair
had hastely inquired if the Convention were
ready for the question,—had taken the af
firmative, and was just calling for the con-
Irary minds, when Mr. Stevens said—
Mr.
, 1
President—(some confusion among
the members,) have 1 not the floor?
Chair. The vote was carried, I think.
Two members at once. The negative
was not called. The vote had not been
declared by" the * Chair if it had been ta
ken.
Chair. Then I suppose you will pro
coed.
Mr. Stevens. Ido not wish to proceed
unless lam in order. Will the Chair in
form me whether I am?
Chair. Go on, go on; you are on the
floor?
Mr. Stevens. Am lin order?
Chair. Go on.
Mr. STEVENS then said: Sir, I wish to
know what is the precise object of the mover
iu presenting this resolution. There was a
time, 1 know, sir, when the opinions of men
wore crimes before certain tribunals, even
though they had never been expressed. I
know there were tribunals which held men
responsible for their unuttered thoughtsl—
And 1 am anxious to know, sir, whether
that state of things is gope by; or whether
the gentlemen intends by;'ilhis resolution,
that, here in Pennsylvania, it shall still
exist.
In this Convention, called for the highest
and most sacred purpose which can grow
out of our political relations, to preserve the
Integrity of these United States, it is hardly
to be presumed, before hand, that any gee.
denier, can be found so hardy as t, venture
to assort, that a man whose skin is black,
has any right to be free. In proposing this
religious test, as a condition of membership
in this Convention, the Rev. Gentleman
cannot possibly suppose, prior to all fact,
that any one duly elected to this Convention,
can bo - so reckless as to adopt the views of
those daring men, who prate about the abo.
lition of Slavery. His object must rather
be to establish some precedent which shall
have a bearing favorable to some ulterior
design.
However much thin Convention may de
precate the "mad schemes" of the abolition•
ists, I trust itwill not take the ground im
plied in that resolution, that all modifica
tions of thought about the abolition of sla
very, are inconsistent with the •"Integrity
of the Union." Ido trust that the Conven
tion is not to become a school to send forth
to the world, new doctrines, adverse to the
freedom of human kind. IF so, I assure
gentlemen, No shall want some foreign aid
to preserve the Integrity of the Union of
this Convention.
I think the mover, on reflection,will think
it better to withdraw his resolution, and
wait till objectionable iioctrines are advenc-
ed here, before they are condemned. Cer•
tainly, he will do this if he is in favor of the
"Integrity of our Union bore."
Rev W. HAYNES spoke substan•
tinily nu follows.
Mr•, President,- I will say • but fow words
in support of this tesolution. I meant no
personalities. But sir, I ►wish the Convert.
lion to take the ground, that if any person
is come in here secretly holding the doc
trines of those , vile incendiaries, who would
see tho whole South weltering in blood,
rather than fail of acccomphshing their
purposes, ho ought not to be tolerated here.
liurnsir,inyennessee ;educated in K.
tucky, I am an exile from my native State
on account of my hatred of Slavery. And
I come here to the Capitol of this State, the
Keystone of the whole world, and I am
ready to devote my exertions, my prayers,
and if need be my blood, to the preservation
of the Integrity of this great and glorious
Union!
(The Speaker hero became rapid in his
enunciation. He spoke some minutes more,
chiefly illustrating and enforcing ideas ad•
vanced in the above sketch.)
Mr. STEVENS said, Mr. President, I
deeply ' sympathize with my respectable
friend across:the way, in all he has done
and suffered in the noble cause we are now
first met to consider. His appeals are
. by
no means without their influence upon my
understanding; nor are his pathetic touches
wholly lost upon my heart.
So moved am I, at beholding him, "an
exile from his native State," on account of
what he has suffered from Slavery, that I
am ready to join this .Convention in a vote
which shall fix indelible infamy upon that
horrid spirit, which makes slaves of white
men, or drives them from their homes, to
wander as exiles ►n other lands.
But, sir, the gentleman has mistaken the
import of the resolution from Washington
county, as well as the true tendency of his
That resolution summons the friends of
the Integrity of the Union, to meet in Con
vention, for the purpose of opposing, not
the abolition of Sla%ery, but , the mad
schemes of the abolitionists. This, we are
all, I trust, prepared to do;and some of their
efforts, I have ever thought, were exceed
ingly ill judged. But, sir, when the gentle
man tells up, that the wirsh for universal em
ancipation ought to disqualify members du
ly elected, to occupy seats in this Conven
tion, he advances doctrines little suited to
the pure atmosphere of Pennsylvania.—
This, his resolution means, and its tenden
cy must be to produce any result sooner
than to allay any feelings hostile to union
at home or abroad. Sir, a resolution so
tyranical in its principles and tendency—so
at war with freedom of thought as well as
discussion, as the one before you, will make
abolitionists, faster than the muck breeds
maggots.
Mier some interruption by members com
ing in, it was announced that the comMit,
tee on resolutions wore prepared to report;
and Mr. STEVENS gave way for the
chairman, J. K. KANE, Esq. to report the
fallowing preamble arid resolutions:
The cautious wisdom which distinguished the, fra
mers of the Constitution of the U. States,is strikingly
manifested iu the reserve with which thatinstrument
alludes to the existence of domestic servitude oolong
us. Although the topic was necessarily presented to
their vieer t and exerted an important influence on se
veral articles of the compact, the term slave or sla-
very no where occurs.
The apportionment of representatives and of direct;
taxes,_ is required lobe made wording. to the popula
tion of the States respectively;by adding fo the whole
number of free persons, including those bound to ser
vice for a termer years,and including Indians not tax
ed,three-fiftbs of all other persons. The migration
or importation of such persons as any of the States
should think proper to admit, is not to be prohibited
by Congress prior to the year 1808. No person held
to labor or service in one State, according to the laws
thereof,oscaping into auother,shall, in consequence of
any law or regulation therein, be discharged from
, such labor or service, but shall be delivered up, on
!claim ofthe party to whom such labor or service may
be due.
By this carefully varied but clear phraseology, it
was sought to protect the interests of the slave-hold
ing States,and to secure the right of the master to the
services of the slave. Congress was vested with pow
er to prohibit the introduction of slaves after the year
1808; but in all other respects, the subject of slavery
was included in the general reservation of powers
not delegated, and was left to the unrestricted action
of each State within its own limits.
Such are the articles of the Constitution,which re
late to slavery within the U. Statesfully recognizing
its existence, and guarding against any legislation
which may liberate an absconding slave.
When it is remembered how many conflicting in.
tercets, and how many varisnt habitiof thought and
life were reconciled by the spirit of mutual conces
sion which is embodied in this compact, no argument
should be required to enforce its provisions,and tore.
scue its principles from violation. Nor can it be ne
cessary to demonstrate to the candid and honorable,
that the spirit of this compact is opposed to measures
by which the rights it recognizes are disturbed in
their exercise,or impaired in their security. Princi
ple cannot sanction an indirect interference with rela
tions which are thin) formally vindicated & established
Slavery existed in the District of Columbia at the
time of Its concession to the U. States, and the rights
growing out of this circumstance have recently been
made the subject of highly excited discussion. It is
not, however, necessary, in the judgment of this con
vention, to inquire how far those rights are protected
by the terms of the Constitution. It is enough that,
whether so protected or not,they ought,in no wise, to
be affected by an act of legislation. Were even the
power - of Congress unquestionable, its action on the
subject is forbidden by cousiderations of the highest
policy. •
Such it is believed are now the views and opinions
of the people of Pennsylvania, a state which, acting
for itself, has within its own borders treated slaver? ,
as air evil both in the abstract and in practice; and it
is for the single purpose of expressing their views
that this convention has been assembled Its mem
bers have been chosen at meetings held without dis
tinction of party in the several counties of the state,
and most of them have been specially charged by the
language of their commission to "assure our brethren
of the Southern statcsAnt we,as a straq ‘ arc,opposed
to the schemes of the immediate abolition that
we will to the inmost of our ability defend and sus
tain the constitution of the U States,and that compact
by which we arc united as one people."
Sensible of the importance of declaring frenkly,and
accurately, tlic general sentiment of Pennsylvania on
_ - . -
this subject,' he convention,after full consultation, has
adopted,in the name of its constituents, the following
resolutions:
Resolved. That the government of the U. States
has no constitutional power whatever over the rela
tion of master and slave 30 any of the states of the
Union.
Resolred, That whether Congress doe. or does not
possess the right of legislating on the subject of the
abolition of Slavery within the district of Columbia,
it would be unwise and impolitic in the extreme to
assert or exercise such right, as nny attempt to do so
would impair the harmony and mutual confidence of
the States, if not peril the integrity of the Union.
Resolved, That each State has the exclusive right
under the ceustitution,to judge of,establish,and main
tain within its own borders,its own system of domes
tic relations and domestic policy, anti that every,at
tempt by the citizens of oue state to denounce or in-
validate the established institutions of another, is un-
warranted by the comtitution,and hostile to the peace
and harmony of the Union.
Resolved, That uo State could be justly required to
recognize as valid oinder cons, itutional compact of the
States,a measure which should violate its internal se-
curity and peace,or abrogate . the rights of property of
its citizens; and. hat we pledge ourselves to unite
with the people of the other States, in opposing such
infractions of the constitution, & in rOaletaining the do
mestic repose of every member of thli confederation.
Resolved, That the prospect of colonizing, on the
coast of Africa, free persons of color, and manumitted
slaves, to be carried thither with theizpw
.4seesent,
sloes hold : out the patri , ad philanthror ST, the
' [VOL.
hope of the ultimate abolition of slavery , the eleval;: .:
tier of the African race to a state of equality:with the
rest of the human family, the eztenalon,of the blase*
logs of civilization and self-government,and the diem. „
lion of the principles of the sacred gospel or Pelee.
within That benighted region and that the praise*** ,
thy efforts of the colonization societies„ tabling about
these most desirable results, are entitled`to the beet
wishes and the hearty co.operation of all the (deeds
of the peace, order, harmony and integrity of then.
nion of these States. . .
Resolved, That a copy of these prireedingirherfer•
warded to the President of the U. States,the Govern*,
ors of the several Statei,and the weathers of the See- • •,
ate and House of Representative" of tho U. Staler.
After some random talk, and isetteiral
Lions as to the disposition of the resolitione,
Mr. Stevens moved that the reeulutions be
considered separately....
Many. No r no. uestion on the adoption
of the whole. We had hoped to have thein
passed without debate. . •
Chair. A member has aright to divide`
thu question on the resolutions, if he choose.- •
The first resolution was then read and
passed. When the second resolution was
read, many amendments were offered;arid
much discussion arose. . • '
A MEMBER of the committee that set- -
tied the resolutions said, I consented 'to the
resolution in thafform,but the more I" reflect;
the more I feel the impropriety of the Con
vention sending it out in that shape. That •
resolution loaves the opinion of the conven
tion as dubious, on the 'question whether
Congress possesses the power over slavery
in the District or not. Now, the trnth,.iti,
Pennsylvania has no doubt on the'question
of the power of Congress over slavery there, -
and 1 think it would be wrong for us to take ,
any other ground than that we have always
occupied. lam willing to concede any thing '
to the North, or to the South, for the sake .
of
•
of peace, except great and fundamental , -
principles. These I am unwilling to give tip.
Much random conversation ensued; The •
chairman said, that there were men in Penn
sylvania,
and even in that . Convention,• who
doubted the power of Congress to, abolish ~
slavery in the District. The only way to
secure peace and harmony in the Conven
tion, was to wave all discussion,'and say
nothing about the power of Congress there.
(Cries of question, question on the, resolu-
Hon.) A inemher got the floor, and said:
am as much opposed to abolitionists as any
man,yet I an: decidedly opposed to the reso-,
lution as it stands. A single - illustration •
must settle the question of the power of Coo- '.
greys over the . District slavery. Suppose
all the Southern States '
Maryland and •
.ginia included, should abolish their own
slavery as I trust they will, and that before
long. There itidien one isolated spot, ; the
heart of this free republic' where no power
on earth'can abolish. Slavery if . Congress.
cannot, do it. If we send that resolutiOn
out in its present form, it will do more hurt • •
than good. make abolitioniets,,fas
ter than any thing else.
Here other amendments were offered.—
Mr. EWING ef Fayette county offered
several in succession, which were rejected.
He could not, he said, vote for the resolution
as it stood. His amendments proposed
make the resolution read, that "it woulti be
unwise and impolitic in the extrerne, to ex.
ercise such right, when such attempt Would.
peril the lieegrity of tbe Union." Another •-
was, that it would be impolitic to exercise
such right now. Another would have it
read, at present.
The Chow explained the amendment so
as to reconcile the different opinions. ~He
said, the resolution as amended, declared
the inexpediency ofabolishing slavery in . the
District only when such abolition woulitbe
hostile to the harmony, if not peril the kl
iegs ity of the Union. It did not say Con z
gress had, or had not the power'requisiteici\ N .,
abolish, &c. dm.
Mr. STEVENS said, Mr. President, I
rejoice to perceive by the explanation of oui
learned moderator, the question is become
one of grammar, and that its political bear
ings are to be merged in the mazes of 'its
Philology. It is long since 1 read. Logic
or Rhetorick, and knew but too litttle of
them when I left them: But, sir, the dan
ger is, that in spite of our learned chair
man's explanation, these abolitionists 'will
take this resolution, if we send it out in this
form, and persuade the people that it !wises
just what most of those here , present believe
it to mean, viz: That Congress has no power'
to abolish Slavery in the District. Sir, these
abolitionists are dangerous men. The one
half of them have been fooling away their
time in studying Divinity, diving into the
Greek, Latin, Hebrew. and even the Eng..
lish Grammar; and the danger is, that they
will get up a ame against this Convention,
as being in favor of. the Integrity of the
chains of the Slave, instead of the 4 •lntegri•
ty of the Union." Sir, little as I remember
of my school tasks, I recollect there is such
a thing as a pregnant negative; and .I think
this resolution to be a negative, on the pow
er of Congress which is very pregnant.—
(Great laughter among the member@ and
spectators.) One gentleman is taken with
our Presidents interpretatinn of the conjunc
tion "when." He is content that the reso
lution should only afsjin the impolicyofCon.
tress abolishing ifilaitery "at present;" if
gentlemen will so vary their reading, is to
lot it stand that Congress should not aholieh
Slavery in the District, during the sitting of
this Convention, I will go with them with
all my heart.
( Laughter—A ppinuse•—one or twobisees.
But, sir, I am not disposed to throw away
Pennsylvania principles, or to burr theft
with "wlipthers,". and "when'," antr'imite.l
Are we come here to retractprinetples' -,
since settled. • Have gentletmn. ev er:, --
the. preamble of the abolition set or, 11
....f" . , f
If not, I would commend it to their '. ' . 4., 1
"Az
ful attention, (a smite) for it is the : : ~"- . ?i 4
Pennsylvania Freedom. , .it .
•
Have they well considered 1110 11110101114 1 1,1:.
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