r.
~t,. ~f~
•a
liZil
■
O, G. lIIKPSTEAD, Proprie'tor.
btereitjng porre -pondenee.
' Letter frota Gen; Cass on the Proviso.
! Washington, Dec. 30, 1847.
DEAR Sta,44 have revived your letter; and
shall answer itas frankly as it wee writtets
You ask metwhether I am .in &viz of the
acquisition of Mexican territory, and what are
my sentimentswith regard to. the Wilmot Pro-
viso.
I have so often and so explieitly .. etated my
views of the first question, in the Senate, that'
it seems almost; unnecessary 'to repeat them
mere. As yon request it, however, I shall
briefly give thteSa. - i.
_ I think, thenj that no peace should be . gran t
ad to Mexico, tat a reasonable indemnity is els
' tained for tlee,,,Asjurieewhich ehe has done; nee
16 territorial/extent of this indemnity-is, in
the first inetatie, a subject ot executive don
sidesitione There the constitution has placed
it, and there I im willing to leave it ; not only
e
because I have full cenfidence in . its judicious
.
exercise, bat bijeause, in the ever-varying Cir
- enmstanees of 0 war, it would'be indiscreet, by
a public declaration, to 'commit the country to
any line of iiidehmity, which might otherwise
be enlarged, as,!the obstinate injustice of the
enemy prolong the contest, with its loss of
blood and treasure. •
je e It appears tome that the kind of metaphye-
Fat magnanimitY, which would reject all indem
nity, at the cloie of a bloody and expensive
war, brought od by a direct attack triton our
troops beethe enemy, and preceded by a suc
cession of unjust acts for a series of years, it is,
as unworfby ofeihe age in which we live, as it
• is revolting to the common sense aid practice ,
of mankind. It would conduce' bA little in
our future secmtlity, or, indeed to our present
reputation, to dpelere that we repudiate all ex
pectation of conmensation from the Mexican
government, anti are fighting, not fur any prac
tical result, buttrfor some vague, perhaps phi
lenthropic objet, which escapk s my penetra-
Son, and must be defined by those who assume
mis new principle of national intercommuni
cation All were are to be deprecate& as well
by the'statesman as the philaethropist. They
are great evilse but there are greater evils
than these:and iiubmission to isjust ice is among
them. The nation which should refuse to de
fend its rights L end its honor, when assailed,
would soon have: a neither to defend : and, when
driven to war, it is not gy professions of -dis
interestedness, end declarations of magnanim
ity. that its ratisnal objects can be blat ob
tained, or other 'nations taught a lesson of for
bearance—the strongest se:urity for permanent
peace. We arte, at war with Mexico, and its
vigorous prosectition is the serest means of its
speedy termination, and ample indemnity the
surest guarantyiagainst the reeurrenee of such
injustice as protSoked it. ,
The IVilmotiTrovieo has been before tic
country some Inc. It has been repeatedly
discussed in Congress, and by tbe public press
lam strongly impressed with the opinion that
a great change "has been ping on in the pub
lic mind upon this subject—in my own as well
a; others ; and that doubts arc I res ,lying them
selves into , corivtien, flat the principle it in
v-Ives should bel kept out of the national le
gislature, and left to the people of the confed
eracy in their rlpectiye local governments.
The whole subject is a comprehensive ow,
and fruitful oqimpertant conseelueeces. It
weuid Le ill-timd to discuss it le-re. I ehall
!et assume the int - pees:ea task,; but shall eon
flee myself to slich general views, as are ne
cessary to the fan- exeittition of my opinions.
We may as wall regret the existence of sla
vere in the SouiSern States, and wish they
had been saved . ; frern its iatrOduction: But.
'there it is, and dot by the act pf 'the present
generation; anewe must deal with it as' a
glens practicial question, involving the most
momentous conqequenees. We have neither
the right nor the' power to touch it where it ex
ists ; and if we had. Loth, their er4rcise, by
any means heretofore suggested, might lead' o
results which noiwise man would ,willingly en
counter, and whh no good man could con
template Without aturiety.
' The theory of; our government presupposes
that its varion4 members hare reserved "to
themselves the regulation of all subjects rela
ting to what may be termed their internal po
lice. They are overeign within their bottle:la- ,
nee, except in orPler to give effect to the objects,
ef the Union, *ether these concern foreign
nations, or the several states themselves. Lo
cal institutiens,
..f I may so speak, 'whether;
they have referehce to slavery or to any otheri
relations, domessc or public, are left to lodeli
authority, either original or derivative., Con- I
gross has no right to say that there shall lie
slavery, in New York, or that there shall-be no i
slavery in Georgia; nor is there any ether hu
man power but the people ef those States re- i
spectively, which can change the relations ex- i
isting therein ; and they ean say, if they will,
we wilbhave slavery in the former, and we Will;
abolish it in the latter. . • I
1
In various tespects e the_ territories differ]
from the States, ' Some of their rights are in-i
.cheate, and they; do not possess the peeuliatit
attribttes of a+ereignty. 'Aiir relation igo
the general govepment is very imperfectly_ deli
fined by 'the conetitutio.n ; and it will be fella_ i
upon examinatielte that in that instrument the
only grant of power concerning them. is, oe
veyed in the phrase, " Congress shall have .the
power to disposil of and make all needfuLinles
and regulations4Fespecting territory and
•.other
property helot, Lig e to the United Stoeii"
Certainly-this p raseolOgy is very lonse, l iflit I
Were designed t' inclnde.in the grant, he *Ole
power of le ' ' on over persons, as- , wali S#a
thinge. The e presaion,
,1410 '' territory I'4
other Pm/m4 ; 7 laid/ o9nattued, relates te_ti4o
Public lialls, as such, to irierials, dockards
forte, ships,.atui: the 7iarituticilads of prop.
vet .,
6 tY, which ilaellUnited Statelinay. sad- it
Poreess
"'
th ~...,,,qll,O simple.autbaritv to . t r u 'i ptike
P I and Tegulia thei e h do.es tot emend to ,tie'
militated powielegisiation ;' tatie `i4sag" .
of a - ,„,.. .... i 4 : , . r e
la — wo, in t moat gtelmalt. nee 'Of ,
-.~rf:q ~ ~ - - ... .
• : '—• L: - ... 4.1 . -- , a. :•: ..c 7 ......... • r. , , , , ±:: ,fi',..;j . .; v: ~ a 4;
1 . 4 *. i
", :1 1: ' ,. 5 ! • . Z . ': i, 1 4
F I : ' 1. 1 .
7'.. • ' • 1 .17 / ! 1.
1-- i
I I ' ,
,-, • • 1 - :. . ! 1
1 1 t . '
i• :. ;,
- :....;: ,i
... .- ,
,i. ,i 1 ' ,
1 . ,
i•- ,it i 1 : 1 :: -, 1 •„ • '•.:' . - li!it . ,
I ,
k....z........: - .: , • .
. ' .1
!' its:; '.--•
7 - k•-
.
%leAcr e " Slavery vrill not past • -not _
• ' 7
the 'eve ; Bich, by the - wayees carefully ex the tes ; and would sow the-seeds of future!
cause it is forbidden by law, but :lieziuse Y
7 the ,
abided from the Sentence: ' ' , disc `d, alit! harvest of calamity.
colored race there Pionderates in •die
„
1 -And, indeed, if this . were 'so, it would4ender 3. ,Because I believe that a general eonvic
:of ten to one over alt o 1 uenecessary another prolision ofrthe constitu- tio4hat such a proposition wouldand holding,.
1 tien which grants to Congress , the power, to won lead to, an immediate withh o lding succ eed,
o f , they do, the, governMent & moist of the.faces in
i l t o e te tahe face; eii
'elate, with' the' consent of the States, reel sup es, and thus, to . a dishonorable terming -
! their possession, they will not er
c iti o P
-, •
epee ively; over . all :plebes 'purchased' fe e t ea 1 tion f the war. I think no dispassionate ob-
; slavernent of any pottion of .the
"•Orectioh of forts; magazines, arsenals, tock: 1 "714, at the seat of government can doubt !which mak es and exeeutes the laws of the cUun
,
yards, &c." These being the "property" of this suit,. . ' • 'try."
i 1 , e • , 1
,
thkUitited State r s, if the power to make " nevi: I 4.111 f however, in this lam under a misap- 1 The quettion, it Will be therefore seen on e
full silica and'regUlatfons concerning" them i n , preb ' sion, I am under none in the practical' amination, does not regard the exelfisio
skids the , general power of legislation', then
.oser ion, of this restriction if adopted by : slavery from a region where it now•ctiets,
the ant of authority to regulate the ".teirito- uon eta, upon a treaty of peace making any' a prohibition agamSt its introduction; Whet
rya.property of the United States" is mi.. ace ition of' Mexican territory. Such a tree- . does not exist, and! where, from the fee - aim
d
hid cd,-Whereyer subjects are foundfor its op- ty .
, ultl be rejected just as certainly as pre- i rthe inhabittinte and! he laws of nature, "
etettUek and in its exercise needs no auxiliary
sett toile Senate. M ore than one third cf morally impossible" as' Mr. Buchanan
revision.. 'lf, on the other hand , it does Ti q 1 thate ody wonlderote against it viewing such a ' that it can ever re-establish itself. '
Inglqde such poever•eflegislation overehe "Odle ;Fin pleas the exclusion of the citizens of the! It, augurs Well
tit . the perinnnenee in
el. trpperty" - of the United States, then it does slay olding States from a participation in the , confederatidn, that eluting morethan Half a cone
not include it over their ''' :tory;" , •for tha; WI 13 33416134:14)7131:1342111613311f1eae1ik n t i P1F t " li het i* ' *
,Flapsedsinee.the establish
_apt
'stuu4 torsos whleVgrant the on% grant the A- of a and which should be common to all. 1 . 19 f t.'s solMent.: Mart serious titieet ons,
er! - 1" 21Tritoey "is here classed with prep.. - am e eating—neieher advaneiqgner defending) and some et t e highest importance, liape agi
ertyeatid treated as, such; and the object was these views. That branch of the subject does toted the Pulilic! Mind, and more than nee
evidently to enable the general government, as' not Ito 'in my way ! and I shall not turn aside treated the welt .consequences; !but that
a property holder—which from necessity, it to se k it.
they have all ue.ssion passed aWay, eat.-
, , i -
ed
Iffiest be— to manage, preserve, and "dispose; Et this aspect of the matter, the people of ing our institution Unscathed, and our .cOnn
laf'lstich property as it might possess, and ithe united States must choose between this! try advanci On tillesbers, poteer, and wealth,
which authority is essential almost to its being. rest tion ; and the extension of their territo- ; and in all t e other elements elf national pros- ,
the vest satiety of objects connected with
'Bet the lives anti persons of our citizens, with t rial twits. They cannot have both ;!and which ! perity, with, a rapility unknown in ancient or
1 • I tee 3 (will surrender must depend upon their modern daye In intes of political excitement, i
ee
tqni, 'cannot be controlled by any authority, 1 teprkeentatives first, and then if these fail them, . ~elicit difficult end delicate questionit present,
which is merely called into existence for the 1 upo iernseves.
thl
1 , themselves i'or soluitem, there is one ark of
.
!purpose of making e r j
rules and regulations' for B't after all, it seems to be 'generally con- safety ter us; !and !that is, an honest appeel to
the, disposition and management of property. ' cede s , that this restriction, if carried into of ?the fundamentel principles of tow Union, and'
. . .
q 1
i euc 1, as itappears to me, wouldlie the con- max
,1 notoperate upon States to be form-1a stern determination, to ae.-- their dictetes.
feet ould
! stremt ion put epon this provision of the consti- led fe m newly acquired territory. The well , This course of;proceeding has carried us cafe- 1
i
e tution, were this question now first presented ,kno 6 attributes of sovereignty, recognized by ,IY through trimly inure, should many mot be '
foe. aensideration, and not ennlieled by imperi- les belonging to the State governments, destined to assail ;its. The Wilmot; Pr vise ;
ous Circumstances. The original ordinance of i tem! sweep before them any such barrier, and seeks to take !teem its legitimate tribe al &.,
the O. ongress of the confederation,
assed in ! w w'-'u ; have the people to express and exert' question of idomestlepeliev, having ne rel. tion
!Elle and which was the only uponact ibis
thei j ill at pleasure. Is the object then, of
. to the Union, as such; and to transfer it te
subject in force at the adoption o f th e co „ s tj_ rem prary exelusion for so short a period as,
other, created by the, people fur a special
tution, provided a complete frame 4 govern- !the .inatien of Territorialgovernments, worth pose, and foreign to the subject -matter ell
merit of the country north of the Ohio; while in i the b!' ice at which it would be purchased ?—or ed in this issue.r.y going back to our
a territorial condition, and for its eventual ad- ' the A scord it would engender, the trial to 1 principles", vie go back to the road of peace
mission in separate States into the Union._. „ whi it would expose our lenien, and the evils !safety. Lev to the people, who will be
ArePehe persuasion, that this ordinance con- ) that i ould be the certain consequence, let , feeted by this question, to adjust it upon t
tained within itself all the necessary means of i that rial result as it might ? As to the course: own responsibilitv,!and in their owe malt
execution, probably prevented any direct ref: , whit has been intimated rather than propo. and we shall render another tribute to tip
ierene to the subject in the constitution, fur- Iseds : engrafting such a restriction upon an y! riginal principles of Our government, and,
ther than vesting in Congress the right to nd• I treaq : of acquisition, I persuade myself 41 nigh auother guranty fOr its permanence'
; mit the States formed under it into the Union: ' w e ll ', fi n d but little favor in any portion of! prosperity. I al; dear sir, respectfully
Tlnnever, eirctunstanees arose, 'which'required 'that I country. Such an arrangement wouldi oh't sere t, ~ ! _LEWIS CA:
Legislation,
legislation, as well over the territory north of it rend Mexico a`party, having right to in- A. 0. P. NICHOLSON, Esq.,
the Ohio, as over other territory, both within ' tea ' in our internal institutions in questions : llasliville, Tennessee.
and without the original Union,, ceded to the jlblit the constitution to State governments,
izeneeal government e and, at Various times, a!and enld inflict a severe blow upon our fun
meeu enl e atged power has been exercised over !dam al principles. Few, indeed, I trust,
1 the Terraorics— meaning thereby the different tber are among us, who would thus grant to
tereiterialgovernments—than is conveyed by !a fo #gn power the right to inqtfire into the
1 'the limited grant referred to. How far an ex- :ebbs 1 tution and conduct of the Sovereign
isttng necessity roavetave upetated in {seducing', Stet.. of the Union : and if there are any, 1
this legisletion, and thus. extending, byth
re er
lam 't among them, and never shall be. To
'violent
implication, powers not directly given, ,the • ople of the country, under God, now
I know net. But certain it is, that the princi- i and qereafter, are its destinies committed ;
'pie of interference should not be carried beyond land I .e want no foreign power to interrogate
j then necessary implication which produces it.— 'as, •ty in hand, arid to sae—Why have you
Tt should be limited to the creation of proper done 1 this, or why have you left that undone ?
governmeets for new countries, acquired or set- ' t fur ' n dignity and the principle s of national
tied, 'and to the necessary proeision for their, tilde ndence unite to repel such a proposition.
' eventual admission into the Union; leaving, in' B there is another important eonsidera
iehtemeantene, to the people inhabiting them, ttion, elicit ought not to be Inst sight of in the
,to regulate their internal concerns' in their own ihave. r # l, gallon .of this subject. The question
, wee. - They are just as capable of doing so, at j that Iresents itself is not a question of in
laey rate, as soon as their political independenceierea. ! hut of the 'diffusion of slavery. Wheth
is reeoemized by admission into the Union.— er it phere be stationary or progressive, its
During this temporary condition, it is hardly ' amp. t will be the - same. The rejection of
expedient to call into exercise a doubtful and !this . ;etriction will not add one to the class of
invidious authority, whichiquestions the intel- .
I sem i ; (le, nor will its adoption give freedcm to
ligeuee of a respectable portion of our citizens, ia si" r'• being who is now placed therein. The
and whose limitation, whatever it may be, will • same embers will be spread over greater ter
be rapidlyeappromehing its terreination—ean au- ' titer • ; and so far as compression, with less
thurireS Which would give to, Congress despotic' abtin i ice of the necessaries of life, is an
meet, uncontrolled by the constitution; over ; evil, I far will that evil be mitigated by trans
met important sections of our common eoun-,lnorti ; slaves to a new country, and giving
try.
_,Fur, if eke relation of master and servant j t he b .. 2 1 larger space to occupy. I say this in
•
maybe regulated; or Annihilated by its legisla
tion, so may the relatien of husband and wife,
, 4:parent and child, and of any other eondition
which our institutions and the habits of our
society recognize, What would be thought if
'Congress should untiertalte to prescribe the
terms of marriage in New York, or to regulate
the authority of parents crier their children in
' Pennsylvania ? And yet it would be as vain
tor . seek .one justifying the . interference of the
national legislature in the .oases referred to id
ithe Original state !of the Union. I speak - here
ofithe inherent power of Congress, and do tot
I touch the question of such nontmets as may
be formed with new states when adrhitted into
th . A confederacy.,
;..Of all the questions that can agitate us,
those which are merely sectional in 'their char
acter are the most dangerous, and the most to
be 'deprecated., 'The warning voice of him
I who; from his right to warn us, proclaimed to
IhiS Countrymen, in his Farewell Address—that
1 metirtment of wisdom for him, as I hope it will
of safety to them r --how much we had to ap- I
i prebend from measures peculiarly affecting the 1
, geographical' portions -of our country. The
grave circumstance in.whieh we are now pia-
1 ced lake these.werds, words Of safety ; for II
arc satisfied, - Irma All I have gem and heard
' . ere, that, a snee4sful attempt' to' engraft the
i.principles of the Wilmot•Proviso upon the le
tgislitioi of this governMent, and apply them
1 to,new tertitory, nhould neW teiritory be aequi
red, would serimany affect our tranquility: II
i da, notser roy#olf• to . loriike_ or- to foretell
the Oonse nencesithaf woMd ensue ; for I.trnst:
and ibelle thereliS good sebse and good feel;
iniinclug in fhO ,country to-avoid them.:: , •
Briefly, theit, I, am opposed to the exercise
of ;anyijii6sdietiOn by Congress ni*dia mat-: .
t.e.f.P44afn 1 i
favor. of.leavitig to the p*
Iphi Of any;_.territory,. which, L .
,y , Ate; hegeetter
aeipiii6l, itieriglit to regulate ttott4,4ipOyfts
1
tinilefthe feneill 'piiiimpies, . ilin constg
u-1 ticib;'' - *MattS 6-4 1 I '
, 1 . . :1-....•,- 40i't d.suipir,setioall 'nattygrant
of #e . r i elpzif*.lansat etton" S B lo l ) 2 4l.tf am
iiiplAis l ost4Ac.,:tp#o4.a,:fAq tra,proodeat ,
&jot ctsaaaesAy,7:theflOahlishaamkafter *
rittivial Avail/n * 44 when
neeie d— un ea: do i p to
thin ti 4eheg xVttli,l *th
tukAeykio4Coonfeieratt .di t
ccdw'*otiiui4
ii
;if not impair, theMo6 .
.-
!•
of
!MEM
=ll
isaratmnimom
..t,:„.7.
.:,.,,
..t.,ti
. t,i..14:1r1
.J.:.•
1,...., ,
~
l•,.
~,
ill . .
~,,,
I,‘
~,,,,.....,
r:,,,,1,e..t,,t7
11,..,,,
"„ ....,i ,.. 1.:
j. ._ :,,.31 • n.:11',i1,.,•11: 7“.71-:1::4,.•:"'....:1::::.:: I
r•:.•::..:.:::..,,,...;',.::::,i'::::: -:';
•••
. . •. :.. -,-. ..13 -•-•.-•::: ,;•, , :...... , •^7•77-,
• I '.!' '' _...,.*.....—.. .. . 1 1
'I : . .I I. ,•
. -91 , ' •••••—, T.;,t:'!
. V %•'
• 1 ,
• • ••
' , 1 . • 1
; •
•• . • . •
• : : ,f' '
t .
;•
• s:
, • s,
1,11 - , F. :
. • ::
....i : d , ~...- •
: :::1: -1 . 1,t. . 1.. ..: : :.;',,:, 1 ; : ::: '' 11::, ' .. ' :•. i :. .: 't ,. ..; i; . i :•1 '''''''
- ,A, lt. , ; , - lii '''... - •• . I 1 fj • „: ~ I r','
) Ft' 1 1. :rt.: ) : ' 0 '-' , l: • , 4 :.• , -,
• - , .
...' •:: -,-: I
.
a .. • ;- .1 '''':',.... .• 77 '.• • f 3 ••• :11 . . ....., „.. •
•:`... f, •-..' 1 ...!::; II iffi
1
• .•.
.'
: :•1 • •1 • 1. ,) 1,. • '...; : .;• ••• •1 'i ` . .. 7. 1 . i ' I •
•••• .:
'''' ..'
' ' ''''''''''' I , _•
i 11. 1 ::: - .5•1 I''' . !ft 'I -
i 1, • • •I .' { i
, ... •
'' • '- ' - 9 ' . ll . 1 ••! ',• . •
' 1 •
...,
....,1
I_ ..-', • ..1... •r ,1 q 1 '..'.. :, 1,, . •; " ::.371."
.
:- !..: , I; • :
‘, t
7 iil . R. '..
. i '
I 1.
. .. .
' '''
' ' ' ''' ' '. 7 l' -.; ''''''' 1 , '--- ; -:' ` . r:;-'i'z' r . ,-_2;• ;.- ,• -; :::11".... ::::-. ; , . , IT.+l
_ ...., ~ ...
1 ' , '..a -• •4'' ' •' 1 : 1 - .1 01 - "' 4 -.. 4 7 ii k.... *% 1 H.1!, ; i ,2": i •- - e.... :: - , ,::4-' + 4 •:.;:::;:,
~,
• cirmir . .
• - • • --: --,:-..;;• 4.. Af„....:„1.,..,..i. , . el: ~,..- , :l-t .-- , ,L,: !; :- ..• —• ' -
F MONTROSE PA,, TMIRSDAY, 1848,
..
l ent of the extension of slavery over apy
- quisition. Ent can it go there? This
r ; i ell, be doubted. All the
of
I reach us of the condition of California
'ls' Mexico, tP the acquisition of which
o orts seem at , present directed, unite in
!! 1 ,- nting those countries as agricultural
similar in their products to our Mitl
iites, and generally, unfit for the produc
the great staples, which can alone ren
ye labor valuable. If we are not gross
!' ived—and it is difficult to conceive how
4'.be=the inhabitants of those regions,
i, they depend upon . their , plows or
.4 . cannot be slavebulders. Involuntary
II equiring the investment of large . capi
, only be rofitable when emloyed in
I.duetion of p a few favored articles, confi
l' i nature to special districts and paying
11 returns than the usual agricultural pro
l .pread over mare considerable ,portions
P. earth. • .
.
ro . able letter of Mr. Buchanan upon. 1
. bject, not long since giVen to the pub
'( presents similar consideraoons with,
orce. "Neither," says ;he distinguished
"' the soil, the climate, hor the prodnc-
, California, - south of WI deg., 30. Min.,
' `Jeed of any portion of itl north or south,
, ted to slave labor ; and besides, every
1'• would bOthere afforded for the slave-to
1 1 from his master. ' South property would
Sly-insecure in any part of California.
i i . , orally impossible, therefore, that a mai.
if the,emigraots to that
. portion of the.
South of 36 deg. 30 -min„ which will
i lly composed' of our citizens, .41' 'Over
bliali gavery within its limits. '
C: regard to New_ . 31exieu4ast. of the Rio
I ,:'e, be salteso9rt hap alreaoy.been.sittleal
I „,,admiastor . t of: l yu.v.aa into the Tinton.
inuld ire aciim& :territory heye;ncl, the
;-',ianiie and tait et the - Porky . 1 1 16untako, .
more impossible' that ...a Majority , of
o' le would cousent . to re-establikh slave
hey•
i . , arethemselyetwoolorai ptifiulation,
ong them, th, megro. does.not belong ao
i a
d ii eg le a t ds
'r' ace.'. - ,,
;AnBll4 r ' I , Mr. Walker folly on
-1
"ftea 19.844, 'tition the
' tion- of 1e - I. ;in iithsh 'eveiy!iih ere
ity
so . ,v0.r4,,bt:!,. an
.ippieto44 ..4 0 0........,he
i'i. . (1, - . - sato tame eondiattei-Very,,mate,,
to the anooniplisbniineortirst itrait
e. "Beyon4 the Del Norte," gays Mr.
1
Gra,!
by t
-
i!lisi-ii tf)i-:i t,A
Letter from Mr. Van Buren to the Utica
Vention.
LINDENITALD, June 20 ! IS ,
GENTLEMEN.—T have' received your
letter with feelings of no ordinary eharact,
ilt comes from Ithe.representatives of a boi
i men who pcissess unsurpassed claims upon
respect and gratitude, My reception byl
'bun-hearted democracy of` your great city,)
'ter my defeat in 140, was marked by cid
I stances, and displayed a depth of friend)
!which I can never forget. It made impresi
I upon my heart which - are as vivid now as
were then, and which will never loose 1
I hold upon my affections until that heart c
1 to 'beat. It is: not my tratute to fleclii
I complianee with anytrequest which . such I
aro capable of making; except Or reasons M
strongest character, and which they themst
will on further consideration,' approve.
' determination announced in 1844, in my h
to the Yew York Committee, advising;
friends to unite in the support, of Mr. Pull
I regard my public life as forever closed;
;rondo upon the most, mature, reflection, !
i. with an inflexible determination to adhere
; to the -end_ ' I 'beg of you to do me the ju
; to believe, that it watt in' no degree influet
by that• spirit of resentment which poli
I disappointments-are so apt tot pgender in
best regulated minds, Having been - dofe 3
during a highly excited, and as the result
i shown, an unsound state of the, public ; mind
'adhering to a financial policy; Which I :bell
to be right, the DOmocratie masses e
I where, as soon 'as it Becomes e'i - ident that
country had recovered from thd delusions of
I.day, resolved, with . extraordinary unanin
1 that the policy which had been: so success)'
I decried should be vindicated, and the justi
l' the people illustrated If my rd-election. fi
I' This decision of the masses Was reverse
their representatives in the Colts:ended.
i :thad compensated for .
any mortification w
I my discomfiture in 4840 hadi. oceasiotie
'these expressions of confidence and regard
' needing directly from' , the pecile themse .
and anxious above, all phinge. for the sbcce
1 the measures for which I have ben so, uns
lignly arraignetl,, I forbore to k a h either the
1 Lives by which my oplionents in;the Cci t nve I
of '44 were activated Or the means they reso
I to fur the aceompliskinent of their object,' 1
I united with zeal and alacrity ii support of
democratic candidate, - I.
1 But while, thus in, good f4th dischar..
what I regarded to he lay duty, it cliduot
to occur to me that the circumstances by w
I was surrounded, presented thii occasion Il
long desired,_when I could- retire from p 1
life, ednsistently with what Was due to
country, to my friendi and to ipy ow.ii sel
spect. • I embraced it: with rri3lwhole hear
From that day to thw present:l my' mind
not for a moment, wavered, in regard to the
termination then annoonced. ' t. an . early
rind in the present canvass, nd before
democratic mind cUul.4' be rega ded to ha
t.
taken anythingllike to 'distinct ;direction in
ference to its candid*,l affirmed my- res
tips in this regard in; a, letter to a worthy
1 zen Of PennsYliania, iiihich hds been ex
'lively' published,: and: in many othlws
whieh.it musinot deeMedrieeeajarg to', tro
the Pnblie. .A. Ifriendly applicationfro m
telegates to the latit'tfational ponvention
anthbrity taloa rpy,natne is a candidate if
could 'Ad' sOrtitider't6per E eirainistailies, ~
it - as you-Spriesr r4 - betinformed, my utiple•
.duty to rano myco*nt. tit tbeir doikso
der any. cire,umsti%cesitrhatavai. illqing
areuineitiiiidachoneincitiliiiil tbigiiiipitic
'trust to your frit') illebipland - Oaf inadgine
be exonaed.for z‘peating my unchangeable
~7-741, . 11.1 ,f 3 T I
M
the
atio
termination never again to he a. candidat#ll for
; PiMlle office. Tho fact.of my having lonOinee
retired from public life, With the.tocit app)eba
tido 'of my friendsrgivea tee a right to saY so.
If whilat in the political field, willing to rileeive
.honor and advancement at the bands oft l-17T°-
litical friends, .I did not show myself at all mes
ready to obey, without regard to persona con
t
sequenees, their calls to poet's of diffieri y, I
failed to make myself Understood by fthose
t 'whom I waamost anxioue to serve. •
1 - The considerations to which I have adierted
are net entitled trothe seine' controlling influ 7
Lence in regard to the remaining subject of your
!letter. Whatever; would ibe my preferen4es in
suchu matters en ordinaryticeasions, I feel chat I
I could, not, tinder existingleircumstanees, efu.se
to comply with yonr request, without doilk in
-I,justice to my democratic; riends in ibis State.
I abalttherefere give yini inyeanieservediiopin
ions !igen the question to iwhich you have 10ailed
my attention, and iii doing so I shall endeavor
;to observe that respect and courtesy towards
the conflicting views of others, which it lids-al
ways been my...desire to Practice, and whiCh is
now more than over appkipriate to my iposi
tion. ,
To give the doings of a Democratic N4ional
Convention a claim upon the support of the de
mocracy of any State, itis indispensably ieces
, sary that the democracy of that State ihould
be fairly represented in such Coeventiore and
I allowed equal rights and,privjleges with, l their
political brethren from other Statea in regale
ring its proceedings. Neither of these alt ough
~
1 perseveringly demanded, was conceded b the
recent Convention to the Democracy of , New
York, and they are of course in no degree con
, eluded by its decisions.. But although", their
rights and their-duties are thus clear, it ill not-1
; withstanding material to, the fraternal relildions 1
, which have heretofore existed between khein I
and theie• who composed the Coeventio4 that
i .
it should be distinctly shown at whosq, door
lies the wrong of their exclusion: whet4r, at
that of our own deleeatih or of the Convection.
Upon this point bath sets of delegates chb'n'ting
to represent New- York, ; although differ4ig. in I
I almost everything else, appear to have mincer
; red in the opinion, that the action of the Co
n!
vention had been such as-to put it out o their
power to, participate in its proceedings; w4thout
a total disregard of what was -due as 411 to
their own honor a's to the-honor and just rights
of their State. It was therefore.. but relsoea-
Lie to expect that here, at least, the opinion.
against the slightest obligation on the part of
the democracy of New York to sustain te do
ings of the Convention, would-fie naive al.—
To find either set of the delegates who c imed
i i
ito represent N. York itt that Cenventigm, or
their friends who approved of their eoiduct,
'.castingreproach upon their oppenents fel. not
sustaining the decision of a body, of whOie ae-
Lion iu regard to their own State, they hlial re-
Ispectively formed and expressed, the opinloi to
; which I have adverted, must it seems tt tae,
be regarded as a very extraordinary occutrence
in •
in politics.
It was plainly the duty of the ,comalittees
on credentials, to, examine into:; the foci and
4
report their opinion upon the conflictingelaims ,
I referred to them. It is an indisputabl4 fact '
that instead of doing so, they required ski un
' qualified pledge from both sets of delOgates
, from New York, that they would suppo4 the
nominee of the Cenvention, whoever he might
I be, and resolved that without a complianc4 with
I this arbitrary exaction, they , would not :° even
I look into the merits of their respective clilims/
I Now when it is considered that noj such
pledge was required-at goy previous Nalional
'Democratic Cduvention from any person4ithat
lat one of them the Delegates from an ntire
State (Virginia) were permitted -to - annfunce
their determination in advance not to support
a certain nomination, if
,it should be )nade
without causing a question to.be raised iht re
gard to their spats in the convention, ,ant that
they carried siichirefusal into fell effect, with
out subjecting themselves Or their State the
4 ,
reproaches of their associates in ether 8 ear—
that this very convention. contained, wi t hout
I dispute as to Alm eligibility, 7.. delegates from
,
1 several states who could not ; utter into r, , such
I pledge without violating.- the instruotii* of
I their constituents and whese ~ .intentions dot to -
; enter into it were not coneealed,-tbat th don
-1 vention itself had previonsly2, and expres re-
I fused to impose such a pledge tipon its' iena
ihers and that the vers, committee,. wh di ao .
imperiously demanded rt. frOm the New ork
delegates, there ere members. who:aped de
li, nouneed its exec ion la.-lan :Outrage—de ared
'their utter unwil ess to take it tbemetives,
and who, also, were nevertheless recognizd as
eligible-and fit members of the i convent n.:-.-
when these things are considered, is ifpo sible
f 3
that any, right-mind:id Claim gm9bg u , Can.
fail to regard this treatinent,of, the New 7 ork
delegates, as an indignitY to them; anal their
State of the rankest chnracter,2 If it our
. Misfortune to live lea.eoununity with' horn
'it is necessary toiresort.to argument to rove i
this, whose minchi do no rush to that elu
sion at the mere preseti
~ inn ofothasubj t, it
tt,
is of very little iteporta
,ce.to us, Whit i said.
or done in a democeatiO Convention. • hers'
may think. differently., lndl have neitb the
right, nor the disPesltio . to became their cep-
1 sers. Bit speaking for eayself, and myse on'' :.1
ly, Ido not hesittite to.Say t -thatethe rep se4-
tativespf the radleii atituograciof-.this tate,
I were entirely right in, their.appreciatiod ttP the '
treatment they reheived, and in tbecourselthey,
adopted. Were 11. to., advise them. or ese
whom the' reptieseeteA o' any. step blob I
woad indicate the slig that , inseeeibilit i OW
:their part, to they degra I,ipg, - (l4o..retjon, tbak
was applied
to them, I , vitt,' in say tidg- 1
4,
meat tie counsellieg. theur.t?..,a4o 'et lie Weal,'
I 4ishenor, liy Alia . 0 x.Y.. 7, . 4 9 1, q4klyforfe t t4ie: '
reliPiatesic all uprlglit up ida..,,,q , pd
, ; e 9. 44 .. o mt . ;
f
I:should' be-iuctuf!qdi bY itliy. o.brtfaderati iv to
leave piy metal:ll7 i e*p , 49..theiluptitat .of.
liavittg . .made se 'Pr. 1 T.90int,407A-74110 . life 1
. .
of eblieATC" Tti e,l Y 64. *: tlie fril" 4 - " --• 1
the
Aiitf . ,4o. deg .0:0 ,
qtettt,of,lbetri,potv . t ,al4 tile go cl o7 1
~,,
!curs, did the Cobvent n itself relieve ,your I
delegates or youelves !from tie iojusiike of 1
but
e it
t is
•aYs.
au
'f)ur-
• ulv
true
and
al
heir
Mil
e 0-
fur
and
your
:6-
El
=
C a
ben
the
I yes,
The
tttr
my
;s of
ted
and
the
has
de
Pe'
the
jog'
dour
o.
ado,
:ant
l irpir,
IN
1 - 1.
.
.
9'~'=::~
. • j . •-- ~': it , - - ,t - -3, . 2 "1 - 2.st 0,
•'' . VOL:;' .
i 47111
~,....,:,!,...,,,„! • -• ~•,,,,,. -
~- I
t
ill
their committee? Mettl“eletscrell ifo 'Vida
that 'could think so. Bat.is that pi:risible/
That tbe triferenceirbetween the tio-delega.:
tions Were irreconcilable,wraa apparent4o-tbat
body, nor las there room) for: a, nieniena's
doubt that-at least one' Of the: delegations
would not MONO to represent the statiejom- •
less theinright oto :I tio so. exhlnsirely .ints , ex- .
ambled anddecidedby the - Qonvention, end it ,
had not yet Imeome too litet forth, k Oonirett
tion to do, itsltiuty in the matter; Whenit -at
peered that the , resolution , not' to' take -thew
seats WaS cointion to,both d tioniCtrsere
was no other Amy then in ti * h thirthifeinlty
pa
could be properly disposed , , thatiilyam
ining into and deciding innn iherocadhating
claims before ; ; them.- The miavoidatimipsult
or failing to de so; was to Chun thilirocied
ings of the Convention to lid regarded laseitb- ,
out „authoritY in New York. 'The expedient of
admitting beth delegation" nighti &Anil
enough m a ease where , the , differencebetiken
them was not one of •principle, indiwbeintioth'
parties finalli assented. to the arrangement , ,bnt
was wholly inapplicable to the one under con
sideration. , ,1 ~ .v. .L,I
The... Matter was neverth alas disponi' of.
Now York wars allowed apubis' represents
tin with the inevitable well imdersttaxl
a l i,
. consequence,ithat she sho ut' ;t haTe ai - single
effective vote, upon the pr edingsof.naion
vention whoa decisions she a now embed nimi
I
to sustain. Your delegates claimed ;:thiOix.-
elusive, right to representthedemoofthis
state in the Convention, ankoffered , toliiiin
taio 'their title thereto bere: that bodriby
documentary proof. Their Claim was atijefto,
and on• what ground Y Not certainly= on the
ground that they were tinabtoSustaisfit r fer
I their credentials and proofs were - retimief to
e ll
1 them unopened:and the co rention , itself did
I not profess et; put the rej tion.ef their de
mand on any such ground; nd yet tingling
the only ground on which, if well founded,their
claim could not be properly overruled:. •o', i+.
It is not to be disguised, that the belief that
your delegates:were refusetil admission tosibe •
ground ot • the opinions entertained bytibitir
I constituents upon the question of •proldbalon
of slavery in : the territories,lis very geneitditt
1 this state, , The course of proliceding addip
; ted by the convention, rend s it not a• little
difficult to define with preci ion for whit par
ticuiar reason the rejection of bothiletwof
, delegates by the nominal admiseion 'df .bath,
was ordered. , That many membem were not
i influenced by 4 the eonsidera or, referred to, , I
, a.n well satisfied, While it is gunny -clew, that
1
1 the number ,of those who ere, was neither
'small nor unimportant in Icharaeter , ~ 1 Those
who feel themselves const fled to believe that
(their delegates were reject d for tlieV , calste,
cannot indeed but regard it as an_ extraordi
nary.spectacle in the politic.field, to find hair
l
1 votes demanded for the no hier - of a contrai
tion, in the- deliberations d .discussions... of
I which they were not deem worthy of partic
ipation. .
I cannot, under such circ stances, refrain
from concurring with you i the opinion, .that
[the decisionkof that con ien ion are in no ; that
binding, upon the D mocracy, of - this
State, or entitled to any ot weightiortlmir
estimation, than as an exp •it of theiriiii
es and opinions of respectabe portions of'their
political associates and B M ien other-Mate,
vi ? to
quslifiPil as their expression is, by tlie acts by
which it has been. accompan ed. , . -„. _ ,
• You desire:talso my vie sin regent:to the
prohibition by Congress, of si very . in 'territories
where it does not now exist, and they shall , be
given in a few words, and i a mender, e:whinti
will not, I hope increase, if i •does nett diminish
the existing excitement in .t e publie mind:
The illustrious founders f our government'
were not insensible to the a ppar ent inconsisten
cy between N the perpetuation of • slavery in-ihe
United Statekland the prin p lea of theileoro
lotion; as delineated in th e eclaration vf/lit
dependence ; and they were too ingeineiniti
their dispositions to attemp t ; conceikthebin•
pressious by ; which they w embarrasseds+
4n
But they knew, tilso,,that,' speedyiandition
in several of the States, war; ' possible, anditi
existence in all 'without fault, on.the part - of the
presentgenerittion. ; They w re too upright find
the fraternal feelings ; whic h? had tarried theta
through,. the struggle for ind ' endeneiwerenl
so ton strong to, permit, them to dialmithfideb
a matter.upeti, any otter principles_than those
lof liberality% and, justice. • The poliey they•as
dopted, was to guarantee to hestatesinWhieh
slavery .exi s ted, etre:choir control- over the'
subject within their resp ecti ve jurisdictions; -
hilt te pmvent;, by united e a,: its extension
4 1
to territories: of the United States in -whichit
did not in fact exist.,, 4,ift
On all sides the most expedient .ineinetti
carry out this policy weroado tool witWilierity
and good feeling. Their firs step wasita.iitteri
diet the introduction of slave y intothe Nciith
west territory, now covered by -the ,stateenT
Ohio, Indiatisi 'lllinois, Mid'atidlifirisinns
sin,. This m ay: justly be re rdedAis .be ist
ing, -
fw
the main, a southern mess e.-...Thillubjectt,
was first r brought forward in Congress hylir;
Jefferson: Virginininade the : deist/ i . 4ttithZ
tory uponwhielt,the ordinance was in'tstalid 1M
oPerate, and-00 repiesentatives:froni;sillint
slasebolding. states gave it it, minim* ittp:l-
port.
,lioubts hive arisen in the tan' d' a of sinew
whether As ordinance, of 1 707elia' Otthajoei
by , tlie,ottfelea: of the confideratiew`) AVIS
was introduced in the newapngniss - at,Oilmit
seSsion'Undei-the conititaitioh, moogniiiii* ant,
adapting it to.the.otat.:{trganisation,ianditham.
ever-since beet treated and regarded as 5•T1.013,
act.;`' This 41 received. theiconstitedonal4
Prdaiii;°;o l ,4 7 6 l 4 ( foot Washington, Whoeellistgi
eit andswop/*ty , -it was to support th!")a±l
stitUtion "inidir,' which : it was ...enactedl>chttere
was the noith,ilifieltatird :hrieingtits444;teiso
sustain thii4mhey,whietihni been wiselvidoptoi
ea, They,' assented to, theluiertleiralimedie
siOntan the, tipeatitotigo "m g ,' 41 4 141 *
silent t o protect Ihst bittrest in the , stitekni
•t
-' it„ '' ` - i , lArrthddnin4 '-,
~ 'Tlio, '0 4) .4'40 *PFet't° 4 ellit kbo:eoilat
merit ic.ttkeotgikisvitift9Litl4l4lol3l,*elitok ;
toaltOwltielf as early as the fear 1790,
form of'petitiime pr 0001404 to CoogroM Ws ,
"~~' ~~:
k c,=tea,°*spa
111
IMECIENI