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coaruitEK*.
WSORT OF MR. PINFKNF.Y
The Select Cnuimittrw. appointed un tor (lip 'allowing
nf thf 11 :*?iof !»*• • •»•** j»t He* Z*
XJii'led Stfi-**. of ilia >h of Februirv, I** *•». v./.:
•* totalled. Tint till tlm nmunriaN xvtflcl/lnxh been
unbred, or unv hereafter Im prewired to thi? I !•>**«•»
praying for the abolition of *|uvorv in tin 1 Ili-iri<-i «»*
ClWWMii; and nl«u the res ndbrcd bv nn
honarabiom. 1 iiber fan pi Maine. ( Mr. J.irvi«.) with |
the amendment thereto propose I by uu lumorahl
member from Virginia.'(Mr. Wise'; i«»T**tii»T wit
•very cither pap**r nr proportion nny bo mm
milted in relation to thi* subject, be .cfair * r
fact Committee, with in?!rur?i«vn t > re
Congress possesses no cmistmiimnl aut
terfere,in nny way. with iV i• i«titiiti«»n r
nny of the States of this C<*ufa faraev ; ■'
the opinion of thi* Hcuho. L-mgrcs* <> to "»•
terfere. in nny xvny. with nhv.-ry »■» H'*-
Columbia, because it \vnull be a viol itimt ol t i
lie faith, unwise, impolitic, mid d.mrer-
Union : assigning such rensom for t ’ e c
ns. in the judgment of tie* Com
calculated to enlighten »!»»• pm-
cifemont. to repress iMrifa'imi. t
(not. a id it th" s »r
j ami particularly b
i ithm'f. as is recur'
etrurtMUi; run lux •
r ii« bindlajt i
it nr) Hus Con
,- imm of* I a 1 »tii bearing
a mte «o omiIv ep< rom bi«8 on i*
led mi tls | »nlit I in favor ol tflt? in*
teii-l'Uicv in «exit** (Amt jitm **i-
p, re mm mi' influence upon Coil*
M v i-t all li no to come Tbe pro-
■ l tidiu ilie Cmizrcs "f 17.) 1. show*
1 » f .1 | , _ i I.,r • p M in.nl ninth «li<> lid tiivar ha shared. or Interfered xvjjh, ex- on* States, a*ch Slat ft pnasuate-J an interval proper*
Wg I .„*■«... iw*»—— ».:■ - - -. ta3£tt£ r.“
turn, nr such other as Com? re mi may direct, aimU b«
»*ted in llm Pni ed 8 tale*."
On ih - -0'i» *Hy ..f December, 1781, tint old (Jon-
.1 ill ! ".it?. tli* f.ilinw.ii^ resold
that :!»* ’Ionia «»f l'»*
lion of pon er Ml 111*01
dement. 5u pi
ril.it l!.iusew..a !.ir-t
men of the revolu i"ti
kumvu to have h •en »i
which form (I Hut Ft
f Hial day. m» f»»c
'Ml O Mill Its paw.
»l U|Mill ill $ IJ .CS*
i banded doss u lo
vith «*tir o»vn.
sed of
>rf: That
rity lo in-
daverv in i |4; V*
I. lit it. in | hibJ
to the
elusions
\i, and 111
• ace •rdnttce
f not enlirelv.
I many of its
r- mi'mm s **f th
I Constitution
period, nearly lialf.i eetnury has rolled ui .
that the niceevois of that Hoitae, acting under t'u* j
sania consideration*, w»b*o»idv ro-n llirm the principle.
lty thoisn ifreat and good men. ami avow ii I
ily die H'jttlud i»pini oi of this Oonaren.s. but .
of die j»r *at b illy of tit** people of the I .li’i'd S itt««, j
illsy we not hope, and indeed conclmle, llnU tl w ill j
I o here ilW deemed a pnletim mid dalibai Ho
tmn of t!ie Constitution, and that all n'.ltmp's in Intnre I
to violate tlio«e v».*rrn com promisee, sshieli lie at the ;
fre*s pi
• KrjnUrfit To*: it is expedient d»at Cougre
reed ti> (Meun* is <res tnr pro' orin^ noiutde bmldttigs
t.i he erecti i ? >f thM**.M. Mmbmdnt'mi.
'• ftesolccd, 'i'll it u ieiiiexpedietlt forCot»V.es«. itl thi«
tine, to erert nnhl.el.' ihlin'js for tlieirneculliuu.dutioo
Vi,,* cnmntillm miMt po fiirt'iiT, «itH p«|(re«. thrlr of hii inlorfere mi lit. .ulijocl »f I
full < ..Mvi< li..». tha. any illlarfcremte li> Cm'g.«i» wjtli .1 ivary w»« nn'.iTfiil*#.l ut .my 1'"> rll,|r - ,,r »*P"».r.l [
the
(invair intn v..i« or rijiln* ol llie'cilhl.in of Oil. by any atiiW.ui
■O l willio O ilii.il-roll.<'1,1, «|V|1.I l» a l.rearh of All iHpimlnal
...l..r ii iiiitf.niiitaol by. Ilia
'I'lie-
■ min',I, lir.ill.ty r\- I very fntimlalinn ofn
«»'• ire unci ni iiio cite n|i|irebeileii
•eiiresM irun" •> * • " ' . . . . .1
fUofthesiavel.ohlin^ States, and ol | cmiiH.*tacte,| and dv
ad
tain the just ris
tlie people of this District
and tranquillity
Union:" respectfully siilrnit th'* toll
tvhidh thev have nnanimmislsm
coiiKtiiutioiinl ronipact. or In ex- |
lhi*< Hiibjecl. will lie ellectn.dly i
iti* I ! Voiir rommi'toe camint |
.lutmil arid 11 nimated hope, that | think
the 1
proJnced by the prevent
iiiMneted tn report, ir* tin
1 o| gras o import.
1 deep smon of it-
They have long v
1 t 1 this mat'er
Vour
n i»ni-
,sider.
r iiMrht
Thu snhjert referred is on
•jmninrtJee approneh it svi li
fade atH uhsorlmi* tnlore-t.
mrl the tniven’eiits in relatio
with incalculable evils, not only to dm s asolioMin
States, but to every purli >n of our c » n non < mtiitry. I
The? rejoice, therefore, that the great body of tin- p»*o- j
pie of the non nUveholdtng States have ' .nir lorsv.ird, j
an they llave done, in t’ne tin** -pirit of \inerican patn- j
otietti, to sustain their c*uistiiuiiom.| obligations ti» their ;
Spilt herb brethren, and to arrest tin* distnrhnpci^’fj
the public peace. M’liey ri-juice, p.nticn'arly
the Federal Legi-lat!»re. acting nnd**r a deep se
it* responsibility to tiie nation, has also int^rpo*edi its
warning voice, and given a solemn ••\p'cs*ion »»l it-
judgment upon this exciting snbj: nn i they feel |
msnreo, that as the Repr»»«sofa*ivi s luivo rcsnnn b*d ;
to tlic people, so the people will (irmly noil p it. io ical- 1
ly sustain the position nosv taken by tacir RonvereutH
lives. "
A* moderation i* essential to tae «li-eovery of tnitli.
your committee svili carefully abstain IV >«n ev»n v thing
that may cmi.se oftcuci;. or inflame excitement. In mv
section of th-* Union. II t while tltev svoold make eve-
rr ailosvrtiicd for t!ie motives of individm^.
object* contemplated are utter y de-tructiv-'
they cannot too strongly «*xpr.vss irn ir e >11 i'i
with alavcnr
restore Intrmouy ! but iudulg
s sectiuiis of tli'is ! the-e good efl* ct
of the llon-
mmirrml: I Vnur cnmmitfc
cau l place—
That in t!ie opinion of this II
not to interfere, in any
trie? of f?o).imbia
Deounso it wool I Im a violation of t.i
fa h.
To iili n this in«troctioti of the House in the manner |
ut by tiie resolution, it will he neees aiy to
to some extent, the relations between toe j
Federal Government and t' e District of rolumbin; J
tin* ptobaho* "bjeeis of the provision in the t.onstiiu- j
, tinn 'Hiitliorir.ing the ce««i«*u of the Di-trict to the ,
i i'ni'ed States : and tl..* consequent expcciatiuu* which
pom’*
ddtion* by thccotiliiM'ntal (*ongre«s. 1'»
!<mventioii j the exprdi. ur.v uimI ne.mssiiy lor a tenimry f r the
Since tiiat 1 seat ol the Federal <i 'Xemmeir, over which it *lm dd
v. and now j have pee iliar if not i xclusi!»• jui*isdic;ion, are prodo-
red to (<||o\V the origin of the provision in tlm cui*:i-
Iiitiou upon that Mihjer.l. nnd the object fir which 'he
HCqnisiiioii ol mi»:Ii *1 lerrito-y was ilesjrrd. I hat ob
ject. beyond nil ipteilioti. wa- to ***r.ure a seat l »r tiie
Federal (•overomeiit. u Imre the power ol sell pro.cr-
tjon slionl I lie ample and r. unp'ele, oud \\ heir ii 111 i 1;lit
lip e*cr*:isod withoni c lliiion or cor* ,l ' # ‘
gislativo |nnvei« »d* nnv ol the. Slate*,
rim should he ic piired for tlm great 11 lional (iiirposos | ol the District not
for which the |*ecitli»r or exclusive jutUdictioii whs
s.oidit lo be idit'iiaed. The juri*dieli**o whs made
encboivc. not as y«mr com'tthieo belho e. ami «» they
every en'isi.lernto citizen will adiui'. lo change
>l*jtfct «*f tii<* g aol «d llitf jiiri-diciion when it
d he made, but to secure that object inuf.M-hm.tu-
h!ly by making the Federal tiiivermneot independent
of State iiiterierence. and of State pr••ted '• within
the <li«l*icl where n was to he locat' d, and wilt-re il*
deliberations slum'd be In Id. Had the legisl dive pow -
cr «*f Congress over llii« District not been made ex in-
sive, fine ol the great mid ivim? object* in ended to lie
{ secured, tiie p'evetnion ol conflict between frydcral
ud State legislation, would In
ill
I list
pro- the faith r«i*"»« d in Ihc
Sia ci that ma»le the cn«nl 'll, mid a* violent nil ini me
It III «,f privaM r : It* as it would h vn been if those
h*>U'«s theiiisclvca xnnrl'otoig ilie.r jiniidic'ioii bad re
main, d .MMiipai.ed over tl.eir l.«. ito-> . bj:tl ab-.b-o-d
shivery vs it bill ili«**se portions «il tlic.r fus|»cc'*i% •* limits,
and lihd continued its exist einu*, up -ui its pt
' 1 ■ - • . aiiu wii(Mi cl
gill lie created wit tun til'* District; lint a aland- j u ' c j IM ,j t inw j |r
ill basis,
y other portion of them. And sur.-ly there i* lliulocal ji
uoeirigou, in nny ipmrterol the country, who has the
smallest regard for our laws and i unlit 1111 >u*. State and
national, or for equal justice, nod an equa l 1) ot rig its
and privileges among citizens entitled lo it. who would
aitrtnpl to jnstitv auedi an oiill*age on the part ol thn-e
'‘tales. The question thou is: Are the citizens «d imt
District de-iron* of n change iln niseUes 7
f the »l
miiiution of the commentaries on the Can-
tit ni on will allow tiiat various n|»prelimi*ioin were
••niertHiiM'd as to the powei* e.inferred oil C-mgrc**
by this clause, eneb n- llmt privtleged cl
iy 1 V
ing army duu^oroos to the liberties of the Country
might he organized, amt sustained within it, and iIm '
(diet lint not a H»igge*tion call l>« f mil l that, iliidur j
turt to he cooler cd. any attempt would lie j
ule to interfere w ith tlm pi ivate l ights of the cil zoos
who might be embraced within the District, or lo dis
turb or change, directly or by consequence, the muni
cipal institutions of the State*, or that llie subject id
domestic hlavnry. ns it existed ia the States, could be
in any way involved in tin proposed cession. At dial
all the States.beld slaves. Many of *b«
C vrrf#/K>x«/#0M of iht CharUHon Mercnrj.
VVAtuixoToir, May 25. 1833
MIDNIGHT SFSSIONS AGAIN.
I Milt olT my letter last night in grcit haate, on ac.
] co-mt of the impo* i uli*y of tianaiiiitllng it nt such an
h-uir as wool ! coalite mu to give your reader* nny
I tiling like a complete record of the **veni»ig’s |»ri!cee#b
. which whs in session when I cloi. il
■ 11,• i " r.iti ia ..ii 1...11'. . . '
' and wliirli c-oittiiiueJ
•In.
There bad be*
full blast" till half past 12
tiiifestcd, and indeed 1
Hui any
request or 111 • veinont been made by them that would ?ince, by llicir own independent action, without int)
il|il \x it Ii the ie- I justify an interference with their pi ivate n^uhl *' r '“ ,l **‘ P ” 1
10 lar a* its oxer- j part * f Congre-s l None, whatever!
ss ought :
the Dis- i
public
foaled. Every Matesmu
, c been iicressxn.y 1
idunl the cxtrei
rite citizens
t solicited any •»«:ti•»i»
on tli" part of Congress, but it is well known that tin*)
earnestly deprecate such action, and regard with ab
horrence t lie el)Vn Is that arc made, by other*, who ,
have 110 mien st whatever in the District, t" ellcct U.
Ii i- impossible. Ihernfore, that any -uclt inlerterersc.e j
oil tli** part of Congress could be justified, or even ,
palliated, oil the ground tii.it it wa* sought or ch sireil
!»v tlio*e who are alone interested io the subject. II,
dierefore. Coiigrets wore to interleru with ttiis descriji-,
i ni "t property against the consent ol the people ol ;
the Di-liicl, \our committee led hound lossy that it
would he 11* gross a bleach of public lailli.aiid as out
rageous an infraction of private riihls, a* it won d
have been if such an iiiteiforence had been commit
ted by the Stales ol which the District «»» formerly
| tnal
j **f t
Hell
been
i the or
inlly elite
as to tin*
i tiv the Stair
ny C*»tigre*s
d»*d ten it*»r>.
•ring upon ibis r.x inuiiati'Oi. however, it
may lie well to rem irk tin! the p »wer* of Congres*
over this District, involved in thi« discussion, arc whol
ly independent of. ami derived from, a source entirely
separate from, the general legislative power* granted
t» Cmigre<* bv th** ConsiitntioM.
A* thu the legislature of confederated Slates, the
power- of Cmigre*** are equal, and of universal ap
plication throughout all the Side*, and tlioy were giv
en to Congress before t ••» •Mssimi of t!» * District, ami
were held ami exerci^d imlep'didently tlimoof.—•
in »de mmilest by a brief statement of
lalioii of the s ime c.lmm
in the same ter.Story (i»
legislation.) totwo dis ii
bodies ; and ibo extrmc
ly, of *•» defining the portions of p
bv cadi, as 10 pi
r of granting powei-
of |e
; that it
-ed will.-
,. r4 ,,( |.<cr:il mid municipal
and independent icgisla'iva
lilHcully
• n Hi
This must have bet
powers of local lo:
bmiliia, had been
Elates by w'hit'll th
Side*. ’ Cungivi
through all time, u
it* own pr dccti**n
• nevt* of the Fee
1 the
.d ah
suit.
it impossibili-
to he exercised
:! and collision
division o.‘ tile
I)istric.J of th'-
ii part, sopposin
United .States.
Vmir commit
wliie, 1 may lie urged "g
condu.-ions. They ha
• had been ceded lo the
Co
ill heic anticipate an objection
i.goi st this reasm*ug and these
>ft . ww tiiat tlm powers ol
ilii's Di-trirt divided ilutoiselves int.» I Legi-iature which woo'd l :
ice to j two States, would, trout tin
nee or inlei feronce from the Federal Government, or
from their sister Stale*, etfeetod. in their own time
and wav. the work of emancipation; others of the ori
ginal Slate- remain as they were at the time of tin*
adoption of the (’onstituion, in reference to tin- de
scription of properly, nnd several new members have
been admitted into the Union a* slave-holding Suite*
AM the States which have held, or now h dd, * nve pro
perly, have invariably considered the institution a*
one exclusively subject tu Slate authority, and 11 •»t to
be affected, directly or indirectly by Federal iutm fe-
renew. The practice of tlm Government aa well us
its theory, l a* e4abli.|i"«l tins do trine, and the acuou
«T the State*, in retainmg or abolishing the iu-tiuitioti
at pleasure, lias conformed entirely to tin* principle
Now the subject of Federal interference lias betanim
one of some agit itiou and Congress is solicited to
adopt measures in relation to tlio District of Columbia,
which have been show11 tube most dangerous and
(Instructive to the sheurity and inteto-t* of the two
slave holding Stiles hv w. ieh it \vh-jcc(1»mI to the Fe
deral Government. Y'«D ('onnnittee w ill not trouble
tlio House to prove, tint any tno.isuro d: tlm Feder-d
tiii* tcud-bcv in those
!.d til
i I 1 the U
two classes, national and local; that in .
tlm former tlm action ol Congress should be govern-: nnd Hie unity ol the interest wherever H exist-, m.ve
hv tl.M im. r.-sts of th* wli«r«cmmtf»-. s<» f-f tin-y | Hi" aw tfinlHimy, m,-asititi-.ly, lit till tlio otlwr »l.n«-
■' ’ al Go-'■ holding iiminbcrs of (lie Union. This po<iti"ii i- too
refer | pill'll f»r argument. If. then, all tlm States were
' ■' 1 '•quaMy interested in the iritional obj
the Fed
that
I Mil ill
•nil tii
i'nture
1 shdiild
extend-;
citiz ns 1
‘late
inlho
This
•mbled i
4>h of March IT
here the
1 society,
nation of
th«'conduct of tiie nbolittonisK n.td their utrr abhors. .,., m fir „ c ,„ tlll j.. r ,),« C.m.tit.t
ranee of the consoqueimo* to which, it per-i.s'cu 1 it |
must inevitably lead. They feel assured that no 1
or *et of men. will be permitted to put the country
the Government at deliaiies. by persevering in machi-
nation* which threaten to bring the citizen* of Mi" »h«
farent 9tate« into cotli-i m.nml to overthrow the wh *1"
•yetem of ci'il society it self, in the si iveholding por
tions of the Union. V mr commitlen h d'eve that th »
strength of the ngi ators ha* been greatly exaggerated,
by llietrt-elves an.I other*: but whether their number
be mia'l or gre if. there can be n » doubt tint they have
done, and are doing, incalculable evil ; and every true
pat iot must be aware that a cri-i* In* now arrived in
I the Govern
(limit to the Fcde
matte"* »>l police
lion of tin* Fed**r
several .States w i
tl,e atlaimiMMit •
pai'uiuouut iiupnitanre ;
ol vour c »inmittee, the |
exclusive.
ill iiMlepmide- t ‘>1 1
d entirely dependent 011. and u e- ,
M Ucgi-latnre, nnd it abme, in all I
r municipal legislation. » he adop- (
I (,’oiislttuii'i'i Iiv the ( e"p'e »*f »:.»• j
h ibis provision in it, shows iim j
t'.Mve iibjec.'s wn* considered ol j
aime ; ami hence, in the jml
in (|iic.«tioti '
ladu
As-nin’ng tim correctn
impiiry is, wlini expect »li
the political condition of the country, in which
trality would bu crirri ial. and in which be mu
tetmtne between the *nppres«ion of nlmlition. ami tlm ,
destruction of the Union, nnd take bis stand according j
lv. for or ngnin«t hi* country.
Your committee have learned with furp' i- f *. that the i
reference of this subject iias caused di-sati-fictiou in.
certain portion* «!f thu Smith While they deeply rc I
tret tlii* circuinstan e. they t*eg leave tu remark, that |
it i* not only abundantly justified by pre.eodent, but in j
entire accordance with the e-lnblislied u*ige and iuva
riabla policy, in relation to matter* of tlii* clmracter: j
memorials praying for the abolition of slavery in the 1
Slates, or in the District of Columbia, having always I
been either referred 01* laid upon tho table. ()*ii the !
present occasion, the subject was referred lor the ex
press purpose of having a report “ calculated to mis-
tain the Just light* of dm shiveholdmg States, nnd of
the people or this District," am! by alla\ ing excitement,
and repressing agitation, to insure tho future repose
•nd permanent trauqu.llity of tlm country. 'Hie House
was unwilling, on tiie one side, to invade what wa* be
lieved to be tiie light of petition, [h right equally deer
tr» every portion of our people, and
could not"have been denied in this Instance, without j
establish:ug u j»rec**dent at least a* h izardmt* to the
South, as to any other sec.iinii ol the Union j; nod ii
wa* desirous on die other, to accomplish for the South,
wlut could not have been effected by ref i*mg to re
ceive the memorials, the union of nil overwlm!o»iog
majority, in a so'einn and determined stand ngsin-t
the view* and object* of the applicants. Whil*t
the denial of tho right of petition could have produced
rone other than tho mo«t mischievous eflfuct*. your
nommittoc are'thoroughly *ati»fiod that the course a-
dopted by tlm House will produce a stain of public
opinion and feeling in the non si iveholding Slates,
eminently favorable n» 1 lie constitutional ligln* and in
terests of the slavelioluing section* of tlm Union.
.. tlrit day. Tha gMrnral |v»w«*rs conferred on tlm
(lift*-refit branch*** of the Federal Government were
exercised from that day forward, and the union o! |
the St ile*, under the Constitutional government, was |
then perfected ri I pot info practical operation. 1 1m |
cess on from Virginia, of that portion of th- District !
of Columbia tint h/d.mge I tn Irr was not made until
the .‘M December of tlm* year-nine nioiitli* after the
Federd GovprMtnenl had iieen in operation ;* nod the
cession by Mainland of that portion of tho District
[ I that helonped tn her. (and in which the *oat of Go-
j (t vernnient i* in fact loca'o*!.) wa* not made until the
* lOth dnv of December. 1791.1 more than two yeais
and nine tnniilh* after tlic existence ol the Govern
ment in it* present cons'.itutional form, (‘ongressdid
not. in fart, remove to tin District thus ceded, nor did
the District thus ceded, become practically the Scat
of Government until tin* year l"!)*): and the laws of
the Slates by which tin: District was ceded were^do j to l!n»*e 0sitrn
dared, hv an net of Congress of tiie lGlii July, l<pdt j the ‘Males ; im
“ to be in force within the I)i-trict, until tho r-m -val j reposed in (h
of the Government t»it, and until Congress shall other- ; lor. a id by th
l»V law direct
>( ilie-e premise*, the n"Xt
were the S ateihy w liich
the District wa« ceded, >»* well ns their sister dutes.
aminirized to eiilertuin n* to the exercise liv Congre**
nf the Icgi lative powers derived from there ces-.ou- !
Tlio ees«ioiis iueduded not only a portion of the terri
tory of tlm-e State*, hut also a portion «d their eiti
zen*. ’I’o secure the great national objects in leu del
bv the ces-ion. tiie jiu .sdielioo of tiie Stale* over tlnyse
citizens, a* well ns over the territory of the Di-bint,
wns transferred to tlm Federal Legislature. 'PIi’m trans
fer, from the neee«silv of llie case, abridged the rights
of the eitiz -ns withMi tiie teirdnrv, who had been for
merly ontille.d to vote for their legi-litms nnd other
rulers, by subjoining ihem ton Government c ouposed
of persons in
choice. Tliei
1 <*111 of all
Milidcure
are eounceted with the hraned)
vernmeiit located witliio the District
cnee to llie Inlter. it* power* are, and 1
he. tiii-u of a local and niuniiipal lug
ing it- paternal earn and protection o> . .
dependent upon, and subjected lo. till* branch ol It.-
autlmriiv: tint in tGo exercise ol its jiowcrs.the a-do-t
stand in'reference to slavery i*. what would the States
to which the District originally belonged.ami of w liicli
ii* citizen* w,*rc originally citizens. Iinvu done in ease
their jurisdiction hud never been trnnslenud to U(in
gress; ar.d that those Slate* would certainly not have
interfered with the institution of Mave.rv-in the Dis
I riot. bad the power lo do so remained with them.
'Pile objection anticipated i-, that the Slate* in que*
lion have, pursued an uiiwi>o policy a* to lhein«Hves.
uiui that their having done so should not Imve bound
Congru 6 *. a- the local legislation ol the. District, b» a
similar policy in relation to it- government. A" this,
however, your committee
sive In reply, that under 00c insti utioos that people is
the best governed which is governed
mice with it« own Imbit?, interests a
m il object* for which
t hi j lerritoiy \v.«s ceded sss the Seal of the Federal
Government ; if that cos-inn wa* designed by the
framers of tin* (,'nn*titntinn. lo enure to the I cue lit of
the whole confederacy, and if Congress, contrary to
the obvious intent and spirit nf the cession, shall do
an net imt required by the naiiimal uejecta cunteuqda-
ted by it, but repugnant to ilia interests and wishes » I
tin* ciiizeu* of the ceded territory, and calcu atad to
disturb the peace and en langur the interests of the
slavehohtlug members ol the Union, such an set must
be in violation of the public fai Ii : of the faith repos
ed in Congress by the State* that made, the cession,
and which would be deeply injured by such an exer
cise of power under it; and aiso of the faith reposed
in that ln*dy bv all tiie States, inasmuch as no itidc-
_ pendent Stale in the Union can be injured in its peace
lc*r it perfectly conclu- j *»r its rightful iiitereM* by the action of the Federal
' " ' ' -'0'
, , , pttciSttnll, ■
il(.nltiinH, it ilotarinitiutiiiM to rni-ry tin; Porttfic»ti„£
Hill. |M iuliiijj ill <'<<rnttliltu>: of tltn Wimlit for Hmiie
littti*. tliroujjtli Hint Coiimiiit..« on vostorility: mul ,,
•evi-ml K' litlitim ti hail mmiotliing to nay ti|).in |t i
an tlm Bill hail hoott, 1), cottttitiIII coiHent. muda tin,
topic of politic il illinilssiotl, i it volt ing tin ititaly.ig , n ,i
niiiimii.|iurv upon lint wliuto litiuticial puiicy 0 V
tlio A lmimstriiion. tin, doh.ilo bvciintu cotmider
illy protractuil, mn! oxlmnlo.l to a lats Itottr in
It VI’it t g.
Altar tny lot tor tv in ch.sod, .Mr Jottifor, nf Mary
land, untie soma tory inti reiHog ami pungent remarki
upon the manner io which llie nintiuv bills had been
brought fortvnril an I irenti d in the dinniiiiilee hy t|,„
friend, ol the AilininUtration. and upon tint elFurts
that were i.hvionaly being made to gull tlm peopl,
with the lie.inf that n moat important measure, (tin,
divis on of llie proceeds of the public lands, nceord.
ing to till! Inml bill passed in llie Senate,) tvas iiiimious
to tlnnr interests, lie also n eot m laree into the views
entertai .eij hv thu |ienple of liianwii Slate (Maryland*
, op .0 tilts enlij. el, amt commented on lint niaiiiier it,
; v ' * 1 ' c ,* 1 i* J 11 , 4 ' (Thomas) had di*regirdud
ll". deelari’d tws.irs ol the peuple.of that Slate as i j.
1 pressed hv their General Assembly, in relution to this
i.nporl'tiit (|i)estii)ii.
I This hrnnjht op Tlmttrie. and an alterontlnr., as in
the extent lo wh clt soe't mi expression of mu lit i meat
Il1 " I™" ll|! ‘ l.egi-tat oe was to he taken »s aa
espooentol the popular will, arose, and was carried
on with Iinirh energy, nnd great gnu t„
the dciiiocrirtic character and reputation nt Tln„„,s.
It was now ebont nine o'clock, and thu time of th,
Committee b id been nrttiaip tlly oecoptcd with that
kind of general tliseu.sion, arising not of, a:td iticiden
stt;. ol the pare, ,„| SI1 ,j„ ct |,rmher than to the .uhje",
mailer ol llie hill ii* If. At tli.s point, a member pro
p so I-mine a uoud nc it* w.iich w ere disciHaed n wtiilo
and di-jKMod id’, mid il was then, at that late hour
Hun Mr. L’a h't long, chairman of the CoiniititteH of
Wavs ami .Mo.iu-, rose in Ilia place, and proposml biiq.
dry ameudiiieiits to the Army and Fortification Bills
then iu Committee <d i!jr v\ Ii -le; nmmiutitig allow*
t :er to near tiirkk mii.i.mns ol didbna kxtma ! And
; the whole force ol “ tiie party" wa* invoked lo carry
these moifdrou* proposition* ibrongli by mere animal
force ! Latin ate* lint'll department*, letter* from (Hh
, mala, Ac *vcre iutioduccd. »* vmiclier* for thonecea-
>ity ol the extra uppropriHiiona, and all went on
[ *w iuimingly until ilaweaef Kentucky rebelled ngaimt
the iiion-lrmt.s proposition* of tlw profligate pnriy to
xx liicli lie w as attached. He aw me i tF, nnd would
have nulling t<»ilo with the drill to which the faithful
1 forces were subj'jiteil. Fukur of Now Joracy aUara-
helled, an*! claimed u f*ir. full, ojian undervlanding,
< i()\
cor.!-
that
relerencc fcrein
illiool a cmreapoiidiu^ iui‘*.ry to
•er of the confederated -States*
Your coinaii tee have ulr**tuly .-hotvn that an intm
have
mil I
I *y
iu perfect conform*!-1 curih tlio • ‘.ght? rt ntl
of the citiz»*n* coil-
\v!io?e election they were t
r governance, however, wn
dcil with Ihu^o'iimmi gnve.ru
d when w f. reflect 0|»'»n the
ngies? bv the State? that made the I runs- j
: citizen* tranaf u ird, it account* ul once •
..n-« ,1 lllfCU „ the readiness with wliicli the cession was utT'-cb'd. i
'l Tap penes, then, tlmt the Federal Government was I Still, the qiiestiou recur*, what expeUvion* might rea- j
in operation under the Constitution nearly a year ho- fonably be enh Haiucd !iy thu Slates making the ces :
fore Congress po'*es-o«l auv power of local Legja-1 sion, hy the other States of dieConfederacy, s<» tara*|
lation over any portion of llie D atrict of Columnia, j Iheir interests were directly or it
Hud nearly three year* before that power liecnmo a* hy the citizens thu* pinned unde
extensive ns tlip pie-ent bound* *»f the District, or in- Congress, as lo ih exercise of t!i
cloded that portion of the ten miles square in which on it by this cession of territmy I
the Scat of Government is in fact located. It also eral Government ?
appear*, that the first art of the Federal Legislature iu Your committee It tve no hesitation los.iy. in am: e
reference to i<a jurisdiction then partly acquired, and to this enquiry, Hint llm-e expectations, by a I lIk* par
* V? ? n\ a ,n,,,Li|. I partly to h» ncqiiired, wns to provide for tho coutinn- ties interested, not only might, but must have been
;1 itw.ni! mice, in all their force, and in every particular, within that Congress would exerci-e the power* conferred,
District, of tho laws of the fMates that made the so far ns their exerci-e should he Iwond uccesMiry f*
partial of nine year*
directly* involved, Km!
• the peculiar care o
pawns imulnriod op
■ a seat of the Fed
I cession. untM Decemhor, 1801)
! after the time when the powers of Coii2in«s. as a local
I legislature for the District. were perfected by the State
j of .Maryland. Nor i* thiv all: by the act ol 1790 it
; \%M!» declared, tie h «s been already shown, that the lawn
j of .Maryland and Virginia should ho the laws of the
District, imt only “ nn'il the time fixed for the renin- |
j vnl of the Goveriunoat thereto," hut also •• until (Jon-
j gross shall otherwise provide by law." No alteration
\ however to any considerable extent, has yet been
I made, and tho laws of Virginia and Maryland, which
I were in force nt the time of their respective cessions,
j and in force respectively iu the portions ceded by each,
rr.. , . , • u .. .. i still continue to Iip. in almost every particular, the law*
Tbe re.nl....tier wit,eh vn-r com...,.tee were | J ||((i of C <.l„mb....
Such are the re'ntion* at present existing hetween
the Federal Government and the District, so far as lo
cal legislation is concerned. The power.* ol Con
gress, a* the local legislature of the District, were de
rived from (ho ces«ious hy Virginia nnd .Maryland, and
llie special grant of exclusive legislation, and nni from
the general powers conferred upon it hy llie Cmisti-
lotion; and these special and local powers which
rppointed, naturally divides its«*l| into several branch
ex or propositions, each of which shall he considered
in its «H 4 er.
They are instructed lo report, in the first place —
Thai Congress possesses no couslilulional authority
to interfere in any way with tho institution ol slavery,
in any of tho Slates of this Coti'eileracv.
Your committee will merely allude to this proposi
tion, iu obedience to the express dir :ction given them
hv
.in, hi inroum.it.-j .» w -1 * — •• - — • (Jon° , rc*s Inn now oo«s"SS'j(! for nearly halt a centu-
/ tho and not for the purpose of eniermtsmlo , ~ eier i iw . d oll | v ,ho extent above do-
any argument respecting it Uj'qups.tm ab.>. .1 'herM c \ y . „ ntl (r0111 , llf > best . .formation your com- j ' lo their respective jorisd.cii.m*.
U ' M 1 '* • been aide to obtain, to uo other or great-
the great national objects ol the ce«sion, with strict 1
reference to the accomplishment of those objects; and
that all othoi power* conlerred by the cession would
be excrcisd with ho equally strict reference to the in
terests nnd welf.ir** of the inhabitants of tbe District—
those citizens of two tree Slate* who had been made
dependent on Congress for their local legislation, for
tlio protection of life, liberty, nnd properly—rights
guaranteed by Hi s Constitution to all the citizens of the
Confederacy—in order that a seat tnr the Federal Go
vernment, subject to the exclusive control of Con-
eress, might hu granted to it. II these positions are
correct, it Inflows necessarily that the institution* the
customs, the rights, the properly, mid every other
incident pertaining to Uiosh citizens, ami municipal in
its character, which they enjoyed as citiz *us uf the
State* to uhieh'.hey belonged before the cession of
the District, and which did not then, and have not
yet. iuteifered with the great national rigid* andprbi-
leges intended lo li" secured hy the ee«*iun, should
have been hitherto and should be in all lime to mine,
guarded and preserved with (lie same paternal core
ami kindness with which the Legislatures of the States-
to which they belonged would have guarded and
protected tli' io il they Inid continued to lie entrusted
the policy hitherto pursued hy Congress
to slavery within Hie District, xoiir commute
Ii I lie w i-lies nnd ini
.1; and that it w ill be time enough for Congriw^,
| :,c ing a* Hie local legislature of tin* Dixl» ; .::t. and in
I that capacity hound to consult the governed, a* the
I regulators of it* action, to u»nvc auv inftM'M* relating
! to iheir private interest nod riglPB, when they them-
I selves slinil a-U sur.li movement.
} Thereanother consideration connected with tin-
I jjevt of the argument, which your committee think
wot thy of attention L i* this: that there is no law
in tho District prohibiting the master from manumit-
tinv |,i* slaves, winch lie may d«» at his own discretion,
and v itlvuit incurring any ro*|»onsibility whatever
Gerlain it i* that uo such law In* been passed by (Jon-
jres*. The citizen* -f lit • Di-trict, therefore, have
no necessilv lor the aid of Cougre*?, should they wish
the abolition of slavery among the n. I ln*y have
only in exmeise an e.xi-ting right, and their wish will
be aceotnplidiod. Can there be more decisive evi-
den e, then, that they do not wish the a! oliiion of
slavery. Him tint it continued to exist among them l
ur can any one desire more conclusive jirool Mini
any attempt by Congress to eflf"Ct thi* ol»ioet I
fnreo of law would be an iiilcifereuce with tbe
of private property, against the wishes and con-rut
of those concerned, and for none of the purpose* for
which Congress is authorised by tho Constitution to
take private property lor public use f
Hence your committee believe they have proved,
beyond the power of contradiction, that an iuteiTe
rence hv Congress with slavery in the District nf Co
lumbia would be n violation nf the public faith—of the
faith reposed in Congress by the Slates which ceded | petty
the territory to the Federal Government, so fir a* the 1 1
right* and interest* of those citizens residing within
the ceded territory are concerned.
Your committee will now consider this proposition
iti reference to tin* interests of the Slates ol Marvland
and Virginia. 'They were slaveholding State* at the
time they made their cession, and they are so slid
They entirely surround this District, from which tbe
are only separated on all sides hy in
They made the ces*imi for the great national object*
which have been already pointed out, and they made
villi slavery : n the, District of Cnluinhbi
■five a violation of the public faith
of the
uizetts the
l b**)' recur to this topic, however, on account«
importance, nnd for the purpose « f putting il in
d, as they
light, nnd, as they uon-ider. up
n lid They are aware that, under.the Const it
i. Congress pos-cs-e* •‘exclo-ivu legislation" ov
nioresaid District : but the power of legislate
lic'nI jnirpoM'
and imi.not. therefore, In* cxeici
public faith, for any object that
great print', pies upon which the
founded. TheCoti9lihiti *
imut lie taken as a whole,
er is granted, the extent tn
only be inferred from oHm:
be rcgul Me.I or re-trained
confer* upon Coe
I) strict, doc* U"t,
despotic authority
-latently wall
is at war with the
<iovei n.upnt it*elf is
i, to be prop *rly uoders ood,
Wherever a j.articnlar pmv-
u liicli it may be carried can
and daylight discussion, of these now au J enormous up
‘ p/oj.riht o s.
Wise, of Virginia, Everett of Vermont, Lincoln of
.MuR.-*)cliM?eits. and other*, also took ground ngainit
i the indecent haste with which three miMi maof txira
: appropriations were attempted lo be sh'iflled tliriMijIi
‘ llie C’oimnitiee. They claimed the right of a fair
I di*cu*sioi» of every proposed amendm-n', in Cum-
uiittec of tlm Whole, ns Hi) prop-r place, uni pro-
, le-ted against the attempt to get them through tiiat
night.
! But the fi t! Ind gone forth. The Bill* must U
j reported to the House before adjournment. Not
j dri'amim: that amendments so preposterous would bn
I broached by C uidireleng and sustained by hi* cuff
I at -nrh ait hour of the ni.'lit. many of the o|i' o*ition
nibile-* dra iming <>fmine-
This wh* tlo* lime fir
and ** t)>« partv" fl mean
i.) were drilled to do their
prn\imoiis >y wi'icu U may
Th" Con*tilutimi. while u
\cl i-ive legislation within the
mid not, confer unlimited or
Il could confer uo p<
contrary In the fundamental principles <»t the Consti
tution itself, nnd the essemi d a id uiialiemible. rights '
of American cit'Zru*. The right to legislate, there (
fore, (to make the Constitution consistent with itsuU,) ]
ii,. . i* evidently qualili»'d by the. prov'oion that ** no mail i
ht-« s haH be dcpiived of lif'*. libe ly. or property
hat! left the Hall, ami were
I thing else, on their pilloa
| Cmn: l.eluvo- iitI.i work
! iho li-I.est collurud uf tint
! purls.'
lint there wa*. at times, no quorum. and this * bother*
1 <*d llie beauties." Many effoil* W'l'e made to get a
i qiiorinn. (1*41) but in vain, until (Dolce J. Pierce be
ing ouo of life fellers to oseuriuin tbe number *if per-
-on* presoit.) there was discoveied to he just L22
i iiieinbers i'i lb" hall! But it wn* o'>i ion* that llie hill*
' would lie reported ibat night, and Hi" Opposition, fee-
! hie as it wa* iu comparison with the drilled cohnrti
• >f ('atiibrel.’iig, (wdial must llie led be, whose lender
is a Cnmhreh'ug !) at length yielded, and the Billi
went through tlio Coinmiitce, upon the simple under*
fair die-
ilhoiil
• processor law," and various other* of a similar j standing tlmt every amendment should h;
diameter. We lay it down a* a rule, that uo Govern- J cus-ion iu the House
moot can do any tiling directly repugnant to the prin
ciples of natural justice and of the social compact.
It would lie. totally subversive of all tiie pui|»uses
for which government is instituted. Valid say*:
“Tlm great end of civil society is, whatever coesti-
lutes happiness with the peaceful possession of |»r »-
No republican would tolerate that a man
liould be punished, by a special Mutate, for an act
not legally pufii-halile at the time of it* commission.
No republ can could approve any s\ stem ol legisla
tion bv which private contrnct*. lav fully made.should
he declared null and void, or by which tho property
of an individual, lawfii ly acquired, should lie arlnliu-
rilv w rested from him hy llie high hand of power.
But these great pruciple- are not left for their support
ginarv line*, j lo the nalural feding^./wf ill" huuiaii heart, or to the
3 - ■ • e general spirit oi republican government. They
expressly incorporated in the Uouslitiitioii, and
1
le !
Is any political or constitutional priuci*
people of the U oiled Stale* consider a* so'tied Ih*>hh ■
nil possible dispute or contriver*)-, it i* that tin* iu-ii
lotion r»f- slavery, a* it exi t* in the Stale* of thi* ('on-
faderacy. is municipal, not it itional, and tlr«t i^ hehmg!
exclusively to the Slate*, and can only ho aflectoil bv
State legislation. The power to regulate or act upon
it. ii onp of the reserved power* of tho State* ; a pow
er whidi wns not only not given, nor ever intend'd to
he given, by the framer* "I the constitution, to thu Ge
neral Government, but which the State* expressly and
carefully guarded and retained to themselves, by that
amendment of that instrument, (article ID) in which 1 "
. . • k I .1 ■ ...II .. ........ .. ... ),«( lilt. —
mitte
| cr extent.
The right of Congress to ncr.opt tho cession of t!
j territory from the State* of Virginia nnd .Maryland i* j rational man
j found in tlio eighth section of the fir-t article ol the
j JoiHtitnliou of llie U. State*, which give* il power “to
j oxerci«c exclusive legislation iu all case* whatever, over
I such district, not exceeding ten tniln- square, a* may.
i hv cession of particular States, ami the acceptance ol
I Congress, become llie S *a». ol Government of the
I United State*;" and the purpose for which Hie ces-inn
declared in the language of tiie Con
it from motives of patriotism alone, and without any | 'hey have also het.n recognized, and
compensation from Hie Federal Government lor the I Hie Supreme Court of the Untied Male
surrender of juris fiction over commanding position?
iu both State*. Tho surrender whs made lor purposes
deemed sollicientlv important by all the original
Slate-, to he provided for in tne Constitution id the
United State*; and it wns made in conformity with
j Your committee icly conlide.rilly upon this as ihc United Suites* and it was made in conlurunty with
great r tic for the faithful action of Congress in refer that provision of the Constitution. It i* surely unite-
{mice to this Hiijert. They feel assured that uo cessary, after this statement of facts, to undertake to
itself—" such District - ? iiihv become the
enn.timiHm lo .he Uniled Stele., nor prohihi.ed hv i. j Sei« »( lna ., e flir p , Ir() „„
» ,he Brn r?«u:-t " ,e 8, ". to *. ro *f e I and for no others end, «n rejjrd, it.oee hy llie I'edo
■ of ile- i rn I Governmout. thu object of this provision evident
or lo tho people." The subject of
States, then, is not an open question or umttei
bate- The fact that Congress possesses no authority j
whatever to legislate respecting it, is one that can nei
ther be strengthened by argument, nor unde clearer
hy discussion. And yoiir c onuiittee consider it must
fortunate fur thu jwitce of tho cointirv, that it is so. i
He is indeed hut little acquainted with ti e human |
heart, nod has derived but little advantage from the J
lessons of history, who can imagine for a moment, if |
he Allows any thing of the general character, or c »n-i-
der* the political and jHivmcuI streiiglli of the people
of the South, that even if the power of legislation <“
Iv was, simply to autli irize (Jongre** t * accept the
grant, nnd to exercise tho powers of legislation there
in provided for.
It will ho conceded by the Committee fur the pur
pose of this renot'l, tliaUjhe cessimi was made iu con
formity with the power of Congres* to receive, hikJ
tint, Iherefire, hy the cession from Virginia and Ma
ry! nni. Congress i* in possession of the powers which
I the Constitution intended it should possess over the
i District intended t » he ceded
! Thi* bring* tt* to the enquiry a* to thn probable oh-
.bl.iml.i-ct l.ml l«e,iP*prrwly' C o..rerr-d ni, Cni.grwi | j«-'» f "«• - r ' , V. 1 «*o | u« ! v« legHaiinn in nil cn-
loissouj^ci lino •«( im xprr» .) H es whatsoever, over the territory winch was to con-
by the erMumnhon,,. cm.I.M.o e*-r< wicljI s ,., u 0 f »f tbe L'mie-I Slnton.
consent of the States interested, without the eertauity
of civil war, mid the probable dissolution n| the Un
The declaration, however, which the House has so so
, tbo ab.ilitioois'B earn little- for ' j'in*«ic,io„....... o.»«> ] »mi or
,i„,i,-.t ei-ep.u^ the precurner..( | w-n. to bo .l.-pe...le .... ... ...otter, of pol.ee p.w- ..!
i l » e i,eral scheme, lh- prc-iimp. : »<»'»! protection. Indeed, .... ailj.iiirimi’.i.t »f llmt | Al the i
! w ni, n .,«,iMo hope of timoi.i-1 Cniierao from .lie Suite of Paiiii-ylvHMi.i to New-: r y endec
Ina.ily aod ilecUiveiy u.sila upon tlii. poiot, c.in.iot J",’ 1 ='hor- S*
Ail. yobre.mmit.ee Imlieve. lo projoce the.,nod , ! h ^ i l.
(♦eneficial results. A* tho ub.diliouis’s
emancipation in the Didiic
n far more extended and ge
(ion i*. that having now no possible hop- - - .
mental interference with Hie S'ate*. and seeing the | .
more lhun~pro!).a'de con?eqttencfl of Hie exefci-e of
•uch a power, if it were po*****u*d. they will disuon* , . r ,
Unue their macli naiiuns in relation to tho Distiict: a j ComtUu lonof ihu ^
consummation devoutly to lie wished by every patii
ot, in every section of tiie Union. But be the i-^m
whnt it m:»v, the IlmidR of Re|)i-e««niaiive* iiu> don*
lie duty by placing this solemn declaration upon re
cord. It is not oi.ly peculiarly proper ia iu«lf. cmixi
dering the present *tutu of the abolition question, but
In f.iinsolting the commentator? upon the Constitu
tion, it will b<* found that tlio old Congress cuooiiuter-
and even danger*, from holding
i I differ with them. Two questions,
then, remain to he considered, to determine whether
Coiigre*sshoubi or should not altempt to iiiterfete with
slavery in the District of Colouibia, viz :
I. Do the great national objects which were intend
ed to lie secured to tile Federal Government hy the
trssioii of the territory require such action on the part
of Congress ?
Your committee w ill mr.ke no nrgftment upon so
plain a proposition. No individual v? it ii in their
knowledge, not even the im st deluded fanatic, lias
over naked, or attempted to justify, a measure of thi*
description upon so ;h n pretext. Thefecu ily nnd
independence of Congress, from the moment of it*
removal to thi? District to tlm present hour, have been
a 4 perfect a* (lie framer* of the constilnlhni mold have
desired- No intimation ha? ever been braid Hint the
existence of slavefy in the District ol Columbia has
ever produced the slightest danger, or iiicouveiiience,
either to the interests or to the officers <d the Federal
Government within it Sorely, then. Congress cannot
he called upon (o interfere with that institution within
the District, a* one of it* duties growing out of the
national objects connected with Hie cession, ami if
such interference is demanded frp/n it, thu demand
must grow out n| its relations lo the District us a local
legislature. Th s bring* Hie committee to t
ing question.
‘2. Would the Slates nf Maryland and Virginia,
if the. cession of this territory to the Federal (i
that those patriotic States made this cession lor
purposes of good lo the Union, and consequently to
themselves ami not for purposes of evil to Hn-iuselves;
and that the Government of the United Stales accept
ed the cession for the sumo good, and not for evil,
purpose*.
If. then
of shivery
ii the following sound and incontrovertible doiv
trine: “There are acts which the Federal or Stale
Legislatures cannot do, without exceeding Iheir audio
rity. There are certain vital principles in our liee | Acfn
republican Government, which wi.j determine nnd
overrule an apparent and flagrant abuse ot |egi*lulive
power; a* p. authorise manifest injustice by positive
law, or to take nwity that security for personal liberty
nr private properly, for the protection whereof the
erumeiit was established All act uf the teg
The Committee rose, and the House adjourned st
half past TJ o’clock, midnight.
The above rapid account of a scene, the details uf
which won) I occupy a inucit larger space in ihis htlier
than I can spare, will give your leader* some ide-i of
the mode in wlncn thi* Govermr.Hiit is at present ad
ministered by the profligate crew who are ut the helm,
and in the. tups. Oh that I could bring them all bodi
ly into the hull* of legislation, and show them looking
with their own eye*, and hearing with their oCvn
ears, the way in which they are governed! This
would securo llie disonlhralmeiit uf the land from
bondage.
'This morning, Mr. Robortmn, of Virginia, finished
his speech on the Pinckney Resolution*, and the ['ra
violi* question was immediately moved. Mr. Adium
*i»icd on by 1 expressed a w jsli to speak no tlio subject, but was do
s, which lay* nied tho liberty. The main question was put on tha
al Ite&duiions proposed by the Committee.sin*
glv. and oifJUie lir*t. that Uougres* has no right to le-
iri* Into on The subject i f slavery in thu States. .Mr.
u n-knd for iHiL^iu’e minutes; tu prove thu
propositi'll) to beiitterly f»l*e : the “ P. Q.” however,
was destined tn have it* w av. Thdn a question orani
nil tin* rufn* d ol Messrs. Glascock, Picuens, Tlmmp*
son. Robertson, mid VVi-e. to vote on thu question ut
alt —ami pending the point a* to whether they lin;’ a
right to rel'u*". without assigningVp/upal reasons, th*
•nit into Coiiuiiillee of
lure, contrary to the great first principle»of the social j H
compact, cannot he cunsirlcred a rightful exercise of j up the bid allowing rations in tna
and to°k
can he demonstrated that the abolition
the District of Colnmhia would produce republic;
evil, and not good, to the States that made the cession, |
the c oiclu*ioii i* inevitable that such an act on the j
legislative authority. Tho obligation nt a la v m gi.
veinments establ'^heil on expre*§ "ompncl, ami on
principles, must lie determined hy the na-
of tlm power on which it i? founded. A few
•ices will suffice t » exp'aiu. A law tiiat puni-died
innocent
Tiii* bill, a
p ut of Congress would lie a violation uf the faith ie-1 a citizen for an innocent action, or that was in vimn
e d in it by those State* To all In whom this is linn ot an existing law; a law that destroys or impaits
not perfectly palpable without ail argument, the fol-1 Hie obligation of the lawful private contract-* ul eiti-
hostilities at the South
all day. was passed
Toe Seoul" did nothing of. qitejest,
occupied iu private and
was suin') delude upon thn
and Louisville Cangl, winch
morrow*.
f/iit'T
j|me being
ntHl husineiM. '1
eel uf the Portland
postponed until to*
! Z* 1
, input had nut beau made, fmm any tiling whicu has
legislatures bad exclusive i Iieen shown to Cungrets, be induced to interfere
fiction, ami where State luithnrilie* nlmie | with, or abolish the institution ol domestic slavery
nt (tie cio-e of the revolutionary vv.rr, un doubt coutii-
luited giemly t" tho introduction of tlii* clause into the
time of thn cession from those States, slave-
w d in every portion of iheir territory, in the
of this description, winch occurred same degree, and subject In llie same law* and regula
tion" by which it wns authorized and regulated in the \
territory ceiled to the Federal Government. It still |
exist* m those Stale* without any material variation j
moditicatinnoi their law? respecting:!. As th
The proceeding* of llie old Congress show distinct- j ,
|y. that the acquirement "f a territory for the Seat of , States, then, have mil abolished it vvill)in the t•• rriI«>-
the Federal legislature, over which it should have tie* remaining under tiler jurUdictinn, i? il reasonable
taken fur public n*e. without ju
Now, the t. tie meaning "f tlii? prnv
exclusive or special jurisdiction, wu* a favorite idea
ith that body nseaily ns the year 1781, and thut it
In suppose Hint they
! teriilory comjiri*ing Hi-
ul<! have ahulished
Dolrict, liltd they
oulinued op tn the time of the formutiui) of the Cun- ; retain their original jurisdiction over if ! Can
if any junfificuiinu were necessory.it i*arnplvjustified jmiuiion. t.p 1 ** t »'«* [ ] ' "j •)'‘"* r j
k, pncolen'. I., 179.1 (..,,<1 Horn |...,i«d toll- ‘ « J . ,p ' , ,V..
u.. nt.nl I...... lilv aimed Hi sen,- •> I|V 1 118 C '" S'l'T l,mt * " 1
(Jjinn this point, your Committee will on- J reason whatever be given for the abolition of .-laverv
” the residutions ; (tii? particular district, which doe? nut apply with
fil>#"ctit. llie aboli ioui't? lutvo steadily aimed at geno
ra1 euiancipniinn) several petition?, prayiirg for tlia ab
olition of slavery in the rt' ite*. having been presented
aud referred, the ILm-e tiuuMv adopt* d a resolulio'i,
•molest others, in winch it nminuiiccd tn the petilinn-
#r«. and in (he country, “ Hint Congee* 4 h »• no 'UtiK»r'-
ty in interfere iu the "mancipation uf ?luve4. or iu the
treatment uf thorn, tn any of the 8hii"«, it miiaiui ig
wi'h the federal Jvlgte* abiue In prov id • any r*'gut-'
(ions therein, which butii-iinly or !•"•">- mn r. mure .** (
Upon tile who!'*. VKUr cnmilll'toe <• m-pler the uptime- -
lion sjivro them by the up'»« thi* i«uhit. rather
*»■ a ddcisive txprassioii nf a great lutidaui utal priu
• ipU ut eon«titiiti"iiallaiv. than !»• « «dl upon '’nun to
•M star a l qmtsliouahUi position. 'I n > •'»•• < v '4 • u.ti
•om* mtoui.-r. voted ngsiutllha iuslrtu vm Upon n, .
|H*ini, under tin- i«tpru«*iott lliil whilst lb * pr.-riptu
•^•rlad b unqueyoinable in H»«1L iu Bnurfltou hy fi e
Huust. in final funi, noyiit uooui tu AIMf*I> d'tobt. ind
ftf COOMUMianet) thn pIm« tlmt ,t I* » d«b Ileshfa .
in (his »*", ills tiMliiUri wU^i thus voted, may be 1
}>4rntl p#rIiHp* by many lutiiiikgrnl and svoniiy "«ti/ens i
W Km K«vad»wMiug IK*Um ; h «t v oar eoiMimlUt* can -
mi Ulnw (Imi ih« ***n.wu. in my tv*, by the
IIvum *f l^uprv * null! ei, of a pnos«p!« i<i
the Till nf October. 1789.
»establish it
resolution wa* pi
equal force to every other slavehnbfiug section of the
cnonlryf Call any cause be shown why the States
that building* for tiio n»e of (Jongre** be erected on j Maryland and Virginia would have abolished,
I nr near the hank* of the Delaware,$ provided a suit-; would novy abolish, slavery in this Dish id, lud it
! able district Cali be procured oil or near the bank* nt continued to toriu a pad of finite Stales respectively,
! >a»«J river for a Federal town, Qtld that tin: light of which would not have warranted or pioducd general
i soil, olid exilnmo or such other jurisdiction ns Cun- ( abolition throughout those Stales? Musi uiiquesiiuii
t»re** may direct. *hnliha vested in the United Slate*.
On llie l>l*t of the siiii" ninnlU, (October. 1783) arm-
ill#*r re*o!ulloii vvs* paused, preceded by a preamble
a** follows:
•• Where*?. tb*-« »• reason to expect that the
vidiitK b iilding* for ill" slternat* r-*idenn(( of ( on*
gian* iu two place* will In* productive *>f tlio fiio*i *n»
latery etfects !i) "(M'liiug (bo mutual coiifiJeace and
ttff* ctmil* of tiie Slate*,
“ lh tolled. That building* le provided for the use
of Congress, *t or a* «rH»a lower fall" of the I'otom o*,t
or ti "urge hi a ii, provided s wuitzbl* district OU the
” Itaint i Columbia, p. f»9
f Law* lli*tri« i nf (Ji*| itiihii, p, ihi
t L-iWs I j. Still"*, vet u. p. 113
$ J i iroaUot old Cougre**, vd. id, u. *dS*
t Jwmvdt nt' Ot* uhl Cungrtss, p 2‘JJ
ably not! A* those Stales, then. have no' abolished
slavery »u the residue of (heir territory, it i? evident
that tliev would not have abnlnlud it-in the District
• •f Columbia, If it Had continued subject to their ac
tion. Ii follow* cumhuive'y, therefore, tlmt Con
ere**, h* Hin h cut legislature of Hie District, and act-
| mg ind* p*iidc illy ol Ilia milionat dilinderalioltt eon-
| neeteii will) its powers over il, i? bound, fur the pie-
• *ervalinn ol the public Isilli, ami the light* uf ull the
i parlie? iiiie»c*l"d. In nrl upon the 'Hine rea*mis, and
i In i-xerci*e the •nine p?t"riiHl leganl. wliicli would
have governed the Htates hy wliici th" l)i*tricl wn*
I ceded tn the Federsl Goverutllilit. And tl is unite*
resssry in add, that Congress lot* aat«d wiwty in
| treating lbs iu?iituliou* found in esoteoce nl Hie mne
id tlii' cession, es the inslfiinioiii ol the people ut the
' tho net, in < "idi'-tmg their laws snd c*s4uins ss Hie
iswseud ipmUiidi lo wbkh they bad been used, end
lowing consider.itinus arc presented:
Ii has been already said that the State? of .Maryland
and Virginia surround llie District. Il lias a|?*i been
shown that, in reference *o slavery within the District,
the relntinii?nf (Joogrnss are entirely those of n local
legiilutoro, ami that i;s ^ctiim tjierelnro. in tlii? capa
city, should be governed by (lie same reasons w hich
would have governed (hose States themselves iu
relation to this subject, if their jnri?dictinu over this
territory had never been surrendered. Let u?suppose,
then, that tin* jurisdiction bad never been surrendered
by Maryland and Virginia, a d that it was now pro
poned that they should abolish slavery, and relinquish
remain- j all power of legislation over bee blacks, within the
j portion? of those Slate? which constitute Hie District
of Columbia, retaining their rerneciivn institution? of
slavery in all llie remaining portions of their territory.
Who L there that would n»l he amazed at tlio folly of
such un act 7 Who does not see that such « step would
necessarily produce di?conlent and insurrection in the
remaining portion* nf tho«e States? Who docs not
peiceivu that under such circumstance? ill" District
would constitute al once a neutral ground, upon whirl)
lio-t? of free black*, fugitive sfaves, and incendiaries,
would ho assom detl iu tlm work nf general ah dilion-
i-iii ; and that from such a magazine of evil, every
conceivable inhciiief would bespread thnaigh the sur
rounding country, with alino*! the rapidity oft he wove,
ineiils of ilia atmosphere ? Surely no one can doubt
the certainty of the consequent! >1 evils in the c»t*e sup- * tiiat private property
posed. Ilovv then cun any doubt, or deny the dan- ‘ * 1 '
ger? i i the ease before iis ? Tlm territory is III** same;
it i> surrounded bv tlm s one portions •-! slaveh-lding
States; and (tie only cilference is. that in the ca*e (ap
posed, the alt >lilmu would be the wmk uf Statu an
thurifies, while, in the other, it i« sought tn accomplish
it by the authority of Course's. Lite condition id'
things before and alter it was done, is the same in Im h
case*, and llie opportunities fur mischief, in ra«e the | n,, ild it he
work lie accomplished, arc equal in ho h. Can it be
necessary to say more lo estiblish the position, that
any interference with s a vary in the District ul Odum-
Inn, on the pail ol Congress, would lie a violation of
the pub ic faith, the faith reposed in (Jungreu by those
Stales, amJ without which fiiey never could have been
ind iced In have made that ce-sion t
It only reiuuiii* under tlii* head, to show that Coil*
gre** could nut iuttitcie with Slavery in the District
• •f Columbia, witliuut a violation uf file public faith,
in icf fence tu tlm Muvo holdmg State? generally, a*
whIIu* to Hie State* of Virginia and Maryland —
Tlm provi*uiii in the CoiMi'iitinn aufiiorizmg Con*
gni** to accept fim cession of a territory f »r a Seat of
file F*dei*l Government, and to *xeicl*a exclu?ivi»
jurisdiction over it. wn* as genera! and inii*er#al *•
any other proviahui in that instrument. Iu it* oaHmi-
al object*, all Um htnles worn equally interested, and
»o far as there w|. any ifanget Hint tho power* of lo
cal leguUtion conferred on Congress might interfere
with, or injurioiisly atfect, tlm tnslituliona ol the wn-
that make? a man a judge in hi.? own case;
or a law tin Makes property from A am! gives il to B i
It is ngninst all ri-ason and justice for a peiqilu lo no- |
trii-l a legislature with ?ueli powei*. mid lliure/oiu il ; Washington letters,
cannot be presiimed that they have done it.
'File Icgishiiure may e join or permit, lorhid or pu
nish ; they may (h c'are new crimes, and estahlish rule*
ol conduct for (niine ca?es; b >t they cannot t hangi
innocence into guilt, or puni?h innocence as a crime
nr violate tlm right? of an antecedent law I ul privaU
contract, or the right.nf privata properly. To main
tain that our Federal nr State Legislatures possess sucl
[lowers, even if they had not been expre-?!y restrain
From the Charleston Mercury.
Fiiom W.vsHiNornx.—The muil has fraught u*l' f0
oadmissilde
i y
ed. would hr a political heresy, altogether
in our free republican Gnvernnitnl. u INi
principle here alfinmed hy tin* court, opphe* to, aim
protects, tlm [ample of this District, as well as tlm
people of the State?. The inhabitants ol this Dis
trict are a part of tlm people of tlm United Slates.
Every t ight and interest secured by tlm Constitution
to the people of the State?, i? equally secured to the
people ot the District. Congress can therelore d » no
aef alf.-cti'ig properly or person, in relation to thi?
Mi-oriel, which il i« prohibited to d<
citizen? of llie State?, without a dir
public faith For instance: Ii is n
_ 0 . We publish, in full, that of th®
I •doth, and the following abstract of the other, which i*
dated the SMd:
Mr. Cushing made otic nf the ablest and must elo
quent speeches of the session, on the Kentucky
bilious, iu favor of Hi" Laud Bill. The Resolution*
were :11• •" laid nil the table, by a vote of I 10 lo H9.
Au elfjrt to take up the subject of adjournincO
failed.
rim Army Appropriation Bill wu* next taken iif
d Mr. Pickens, nf South Carolina, made a powerful
speech ag iiii'ft the abuses of ilm Aduiioi-iration- A*
be told tlm troth plainly, Im wa?, of course, treinaud-
1 otmly severe upon tlm igunbilitv in power.
1 Mr. Underwood followed on tbe same side.
Ill the 8enn»e, Texas was Hie uhsmbi g topic of J* 1 *
cussioii Mr. Walker moved a reference of the in**
uinrial? in favor of Texas to tho Coaimitlee of Foreign
I Relations
| Mr. Morris, of Ohio, objected in the reference of
r* I itiou to tbe j| lo8 0 |, n |,„d pifiHi-nted He d-d not see hi* w' a f
violation of the
ell ? pled c msti-
lear. # IIe fimugUt tlm qiiestiou involved serioU* CtiH*
frequence*, n? alfucliiig the relations of difiereut *® c *
tntioiitil principle, tiiat “ private property .‘■had *•«>* he ; „f the Union. Hu perk ip? dreaded the henelit*
til"
nl tn in (J I
It 1
com pc
on obvimisK is. |
be taken only l*»r public
, lint shall not be taken even llmu, without ada- •
q*iate remuiieratioii. It is evident, however, iu refer
enda to slavery, either thvt the (j ixerumeiil would
use the slave?, or tiiat il would not. If it would ii?"
(hem, then thev would not he emancipated; and it
would he ii tl idle mockery lo talk ol Ilia fro'-ilom ol .
those who would only Cease lo he private, to become j
public slave? If it w ould not n?e them, then ho.v
t that they were taken lor the public !
u?e, coiisi-t. ntly wi ll tlm provision ju t recited ? But !
even if they could he taken without irf relic" to pith-
lie ti?e, they could not he taken without jud roinpiiil-
saliou It i* exc«c«li'»gl> qu»»?liinuihle, liowevnr, wha-
filer Congrfi-s could apply the public •evemm lo ?uc!i
no object, even with tlm i a on?ent ol file owners of the
•lives. A? to eniaiM-ipntiou wiliemt Iheir r muni,
and without ju-t coinpetMatimi, voiir coniinillae will
lint slop to consider it Ii could not hear itXHinillNlii.it
to tlm Sooth of ilm siicchs- nf'Texan. He need i |0 ‘
distress himself. Toe thing is fat«d. T"X«* will ^
liee, and tlm Smith will Im strum* in the freedutn
Texas, w-'ieilmr Texas enters ilm Union or not; 1)1,1
that Tex is will enter llie Union, is a probability almost
as strong as certainty.
Mr. Fieston followed, complimenting Mr. VVwk er
on In? zeal iu the good can-e Hu had intended a ***
uiilar uioti ui— mid proffhrad .Mr. W. the use «»•
memorial? w hich he had presented. Tbe inquiry ***
iinportaiit and neeussary .
Mr. \\ alker accepted tlm offer, nnd modified
! motion so us to embrace ull the memorial* oil tbe
ject. ,,
Mr. Wuh-ter xvii» not opposed to the reference- 11
| believed tlm good news Iron) T**X is—h*»pod it w ‘*
true. If Texas had eatnhliahed her iiqlepaiwlto***•
J was the duty ol tne United Slate*, when
ilm itifoi illation inumI Im autheiilic and ('ffici*f-
true, we •liould mooii have q in >.ii«‘|i bliape. It
Honor, liiimanlty, policy, a I fmhid il. It i? r)iMiille*l j u, M umiiiH and discreet course to xxHit for it.
Ilian, Irnui all (t;e con? derations herein stated, ^aud
there are other* equally |.Hint might Im iii'ged.)
that Congress co fill nut aludi«li slavery in tbe District
of Columbia wulpoii a violation of Ihc public lui'h.
( To be concluded in one next.)
After a short «ii<st*ia«»i«»n hy other Senator*, the te°
lion prevailed—mul tlio Senate went into Execute
htiNiimsaM
Dcarttor EnwAim Livitosroa.-»TM
! Cmimmrcial Advein*cr of the J Id* lost.
The r»*|.*!»r.find Wii.i mu Genxvix died in Loudon iegret to auiiQ'ifcu lh*x death nl'thn ll»n. rklx^* r ®
on the 8lb ull., at the advanced ag« of HI year*.— j vingstuu, late Mno^tpr to Franca. Mr. livlwi* 1 .
Ifa hud been for iisaily fifty ya ir* Imfora the public as dmd yesterday a Her noon, at his seal
a writer. 1 alter a few hours' illness. '
t-atts.