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POIJTM'A I.
A public dinner wu glvwn to J'-dg* Wmitk in
KumviiK nn fit# 3Ui wit. The iimirimr «f person#
th«( war* prtient, is laid to hive been greater than
rv»r witnessed hi that place, on a «iutiUr occasion —
The 1aHowi"g wm one of the regular tnssTi: —
Our distingatshsd guest and neighbor, the Honorable
}oo«ri Cftovcntiin; th#l Mr. T.»n Burtu ought school. 10 fit ** I hut# been able »• enmprrbend known te th» Coasttiullun, fa tbit tftofle pointed
to l»r nominated a* Proii lent. I as Vice President, , tin doctrine* taught by him. The true way to ou»_by it
rind when his eight ynirt htul expired. I teas young e j test tin* matter. i- tor rath of in to put down the
ntngh then lobe t.ikrn ejtrU PniiiUnt. Ail him w.i* arne'e* of hit political erred, and •** i-. wliat we
communicated to me, and the only answer I could 1 disagree. | nave giv*u you mine; you and the
make was. that cither office was hi yotid tny me 1 Amcric hi people, who have token the trouble to
.ol wli.it | Itavr said. or to notice mv recorded
rim, mi iba' I could not enter into any arrange-
merit, which would operate a# ;i lure to induce
anv person to vote for myself or tor any other per
llcou L*wr*o» VVniTK —Mis puidie, career ha* ••«*•» ' xon contrary to his judgement. I urn the mail
)( , ,.*« eotiqiicuoiis for it* consistency, independence, ! stood, when the session ot Cimpi't* titiinnoiict il
•nd uii fain#*#, tii«n hi* private life for its propriety r j»u I m December, 1G3L During that winter, many
rity a i > uprightness. Malevolence and persecution i Cl|l||( |y meetincs were held, at which my name v»n*
cannot prostrate him. Tennessee will sustain him j hr , M|| / f|| | >P | wrr ,he |,„| # Ik*, as well ns hv me l.**
«rmljr mirt f<m.le„!y agfliiio! lh« »la«il"r. of m«lice , j <U||)rft (lf ,\|.,l.;inia.
«.id me magic of (lie ... ..I mflueulml mint-. Un'l.-f a f.i'l M.of tbi! n tysltm w,„ al.nut br-
After ihe loud anil reiterated hitnH <>j a|>|>lati«r | p|( , |n ofeTat \ on W iml.l ,k*troy tlir fret
T »»# right is the stir* rock, upon which itie
wiiule su|n r-i rod lire rests. I'ji •»» It I have plittt
ed mvsell. •• I'hr rsms ul tinnier may deaeeoil.
the floods of Ihe < alum i\ m«v emit . In** winds
the storms and tne tempests of dcuuticieiiou nitty
vo-ei, know tli.it I have practised uii mv prole#• i heat upon ine,” lna< there will I rem ill nuilMverl,
sion*. It is tint with me to nay wlietIn r the Chief
.Magistrate has practiced on lihur ot. Il we now
disagree m any tiling, I aver that I agree with the
1 lepuhliuaii creed, and that Iih m ill he found on that
| side which lea Indirectly to monarchy. tllhougli I
• hope he doi ( M out so in'Ciid it.
until some political earthquake wtiall shiver both
it nod me lo atoms.
In conclusion, permit m* to add. that as to our
venerable and esteemed Chief Magistrate, it iti
any thing I have said there is ihe appearance of
link mines*. or want of reaper t. it was certainly
iS».*»*», September 7, 15.18. Mrume.u enteral tnio by tbn,« Si,.,, nh.,.:
OtmUm'H:—T.>"f cmiini'niic*li.»n rrqiif.img my power, ere iptttftH and rnumtralvi I, i. ,
- V a.m. Ili.r.n.^. u," (; ulll(r ,.., n r oku,:!l 'i\, * u ®-
n|.iiiinn, wka'hcr "C»ngre»* it*, ilie
.if
h i,
and I
I rum c
I hot upon one point he | not intended, lie ha* assailed me openly lor my I r ,.dit- which belong to sione o'h r br.oicli ol III
lldouhiedl
c antipodes, as far apart as the poles are
li other, lie ibifiks n ail important point
I proceed Iti answer. ^"id perno* me toc*|MVf* |.»l«s. nni-t he aped iMv d- legated tn-fnr* |T1
my gratifies ini nl the lively mienM taken by your the federal inveniment c.m he legtiiuuit* \v! U >
•H |-.s miilHeo iites.no a •uhjei't it epi\ imj or-.iut to follows that tin; w «»r«h •• in «;| cutes wlialsoe U
ihe tfmitli, On i ds •uhi'*rl theie -l oo d be uodivtti il |»« construed to mean in nil c.ase^ whatsoever e * i
in tins .^late ; toil wili'i one voce mid moled .action, the f'oiisUtutiou itulhnrig»s the nrtioii of i| ’ "J ,r '' ir t
we »Iioii|iI pu* forth all our energies in * | (» • i i n to lecislnture. |l these premises bo true, it | 0 |?
any mid every interference upon the par* ol (.oiu'iess. (;«»orre«4 rannot, under that clause, iMsi-i ? Wl1 ^t
wiih tin* d*.M : ri,itjou of propel i> Theoplymb •goaid nay owlerery auhject ithatsoever. 4ther w,l, U|K,n
»o our lihertica and rigui« t vvill be !•*.*« vigiJaul reaiiic* •• t-u mi os Mpiare." or the territorial, |f t | 1 ,,M 'k*
lion of every branch and d* partmelit t f hoverinneiil. condruciion prevails, then the Congress nfu,'
to its letiiimain cori^tiiut onal splmro of wlhm; and Si des would indn' itahlv h <ve tt^ power t.i T.
w h-oever bv CMUsiruciion. I ou.ress shall o. I* “ge the t'es of uobihty, mill eatiihliaii a Hellffinni
with which this sentiment was received had su • j ,/ f , m w y <lection which was intended to Iran*fer all I ol his administration. Indore Ins time expires, to
sided, Judge Will 1 K inseand said j fdvrul power into certain Imndv. who In/ Ihe like | selci t ins successor, and through the medium ol
Gkntlemkv—The sentiment just given, and j process would transfer it into the hands of othirsat
the feeling with winch it lias been received, en i their pleasuie. and that the ctfeci ol tins would he
courage me lo do something more than make my | to give the operations of t'n* government such a
acknowledgements lor your uodeviating support | dtr» ctioti as would favor tin* imer-sis of one class
and continued confidence.
Alter an absence of almost nine months, seven j
of which were devo ed to my duties in Congress, J
upon mv return home, to find mv neighbors, the
people of my own county, ready to greet me as a I
friend, and to declare in the face of the world that
my chancier as a private citizen does not deserve
reproach, and that my conduct as a public man
meets their approbation, is a source of the highest
gratification—more especially when 1 reflect how
incessantly l have been assailed, and with how
much industry die vilest slanders have been circu
lated, under the sanction of na lies, some ol which
I know are, and long have been, very dear to von,
as well as to the great majority of my fellow,
citizens.
For eleven years 1 have, in part, represented
Tennessee in the Senate of the United State-*.
Until the two last, nty services, humble ns they
were, appeared to he acceptable to the great body
of the people. Any complaints against me were
made comparatively by a few, and they were, ol
Convention, got up under his nwn auspices, have
th** person thu-* selected, recommended as a suil-
ah!« candidate : to use all his influence and patron*
age to procure the election ol the per on limit re
oin hi * ndeil: and he denotin'es ever \/ man as a Fed
erolist. and ns opposid to his Administration, who I l w
will not vole for and support such jnrson.
I disagree wuli this in ole doctrine, and insist,
ii is no part of his duty to select Ins successor, I *»
CP'7.ehs, at an tMiiire sacrifice ol iheinl
Oil others. 1 consented that my political friends
might use try name, or not, as they believed would
most promute the public interest.
Iri tins 1 may have erred ; but if l did, it was an
honest error.
Auer giving this consent, and before the Haiti- j ms nifl it*rice or patronage to
more Convention, I was repeatedly forewarn d persons to vote for him. Ini
what I might expect if my name was not with--
drawn. These threats carried no terrors to me.
Whatever of character I have, was given to me by !
my eountrv, and whenever it becomes n»*c
to risk tin whole of it. in defence of those principles |
which I think essential in the preservation ol liber- I
«y, I willingly slake it ill. I feel tint I was mu j
intended to he filestore of any man, or s»*t of men
— that I have some mind, and that the author ol
mv existence jiutendid l should exercise it-
j that | should firm opinions as to /lolitics and re
| ligion. and freely and f arlessly act upon ineni,
without being intimidated by what eit!ierm*’ti or de
vils can dr . Could I have hesitated for one moment
o idurt. while m ymir emp »y. One ol the first | vermin-
laws of our nature is seli-d feuce. I obey tit it I *w
as a tree man. whose right* and reputation are dear
to limi. W'e tlis igiee in opinion o i a mosi impor
tant HUbjec. At nor age, and every circumstance
considered, d becomes os hotli to disagree, in
opinion, in good imnper. lo tunes past he has
had In* troubles, and iii them, he nev r was with
out a friend to justify or excuse tiis c. induct when
present, lie has decreed that we s tail se
parate, or I surr nder that iret duui for which my
father fought. Tin* fir*t is the only alternative lor
iii determined to preserve his *e|f re-*pect.—
liHinp « upon the light
ihe pence nd unity ol the country ure d sturhed. *
I* el cotifiJeui. from the sinus o| in* nines, that if eve r
the -a ken cords that nin i together Hd* co„ edency he
broken, iilld ntii happy V ion dn»solv d, lie m-nger
will -pring up from ilie van
miles the pnnctple, liy w
power lo abolish vlivery
tio- of Coluinhiii; tiny
i.« *. else that ill** whim
>•- 'lii-v t-niild ,„ ly ,n„|
'- "r mil-reof “'"J
cipleil niHjnti'y itut'hl «oj!i:e«t. 1\ |,„ t |
would oyailii c otend lor .licit n ti^ht T "*
i|it-re i- iioddrerenee io fHcl botwcen |||,.
And
>«
I lheii, S eii'|e|i .t"llie(:oii,|i., Mj „ l ,_ | | 1| ''.'- e, ~
from w liicli emu- ’ oo-i.t M ttiletil h|ioii the .ol-ject ofeln.
•tntrn.
i gr»-,-a cUniii- lue
i mu District of CJ ol it iii-
have linn n coiiunended by a ('oiiven ion. or to use I lie and I are poorly » inployed, if
loo
IllllCf
I temper about human goveniuieni-*. In t i
those decidedly opposed to the present Cliiel Ma- | in n iy course, I would Inve. fancied that I heard
gisira'e and his administration.
Now the nut'er has chan.ed. and I have been
violently assailed by some of those with whom
I have formed\f acted, and several of those who
were nty hitter opponents on account of my at
tachment lo the Chief Magistrate, have heroine his
zealous friends, while they still continue their hos*
Hilt if tame. Having resided in the State from my
boyhood, ami having, from the lime I attained the
years of discre'ion, been busy among the people
in some capacity or other. I believed a large suid
overwhelming majority of our fellow citizens were
decidedly Jeffersonian Republicans, and belonging
to that school of politicians myself, when honor
ed with a seat in the Senate, I flittered myself
that on all important question*, when f honestly
carried out, in practice, my own political opinions,
I would also fdtfifiil v represent the opinions ol
mv constituents. I have neither solicited nor
desired the berth, and roultl not have been induced
to accept it, if a sacrifice of any of my principles
had been required.
At one period, domestic afflictions visited me
in such ripul succession, and with sm Ii weight*
that I had made up my mind lo withdraw, and let
my place he supplied bv some one whose mind |
would not be doomed to brood so much over hi*
own misfortunes, hut abandoned the idea at the
point of disagreement, and I willingly leave
present general tot. nod to those who are to
ceed us, to say which of un holds the republican
side. j
♦Suppose Mr. Adams to he nmv 1*
bis term about to expire, and he had designated M
Clay as bis sucees-or, ami was u»iiig .ill his |>a»- |
mnage to indi.ee pvr*ons to vote for turn, anil was
actually travelling through M;i*s;k hu-etts and
elsewhere, haranguing th" people and denouncing
Gen. Jackson as a ted hot Federalist because in-
would not withdraw his name and vote for Mr.
Clay. What would be said by our venerable
friend in such case ?
Wi'h a view to bring ibis doctrine borne to the
.tv iimo : suppose mere were
proposition to intend ill*- Constitution, and
kc it the duty ol every I'rcddent before Ins
ame principles are now lerin expired, to select the man ill his judgment best
qualifed to succeed him —to have a convent ion c - I
led lo rec.o nuiend sue i person, arid men to use
all bis patronage and influence to have him elect
ed. Is th -re any one mail fti* America so stupid
as not to see it would he taking from the people all
choice, a I pow r in electing the Chief .Magi-trate.
a.id vexing ii in the. hands of one man ? If such
ait amendment were to prevail, so tar a* (lie elec
lion of 1’rcsidcnt was concerned, we would have
<n •!! »n**:nis and purposes a Monarchy Well, il
we • ot ii • jir- i a led oil to think litis pi act ice ought
lo lio pursued without such an amendment, practi
cally. tli" gov» rnnteut is •» moii.ircny. because the
people will have given up their right of choice, a d
tiiiiisferred it to on-* man. It is not i alone that
am denounced, but every friend l have in Congress
fiom the S ate. They are taken op one by one by
name, and denounced by the President as Federal
ists. and opponents of his Administration. In
what have they opposed hi* Ad ninistramtit ? Did
is obvwvu-dv the | of nature they most soon cease to have any opera
he lint.
upon nth* r of ns. We most so.m appear
- | before a tribunal where the Judge him-elf will be
the only witness, lie cannot It- misled i.s to our
acts or our motives ; tnd mv prayer i*. that instead
ent. and | of applying the rules of mi riel justice to * i h« r. our
errors, vees and infirmities may find lor^iveuess
in his mercy.
myself addressed front the tombs in youth r church j comprehension of
yard, [pointing to the place where his father abd
mother are buried,1 in language like this—•• My
son, remember that lit
involved, which were p oclaiiiied in July, 1770 —
that to maintain them. I risked my lite and every
tiling dear to mart—that af er struggling through a
seven years’ wa», wi h n y cump'itriots if* arms,
we succeeded in ihe establishment of a tree gov rn-
mont—-under it I lived happy and pto'p rons. and
died without leaving a spot on iny name - that goo i
ntune, and that free gov* inineni. I l» it mV ch»l-
ilr»-n as an invalii *hle inheritance; and is it pos
sible that for the lark of inoial enrage, you w.d
deprive yotirvelf and your children ol those bless
ings for which I foil.-d so long, and risked so
much ?” If I still doubted, a voice suit more en
dearing. if lh#r be possible, would salute nty ears iii
accents like ilte.se.—" C.m you tor an in-iaut for
get the lesbous taught by your mother ? R- mem
ber von have not only your father’s mime in charge,
lint that you have also that of my family. Do
you not recollect how I us«d to encourage you
and your brother to discltaige your duty, as my
o Iv sentinels to watch and warn me. when the lo- I they vote against his three millions, session before
ries would approach our dw* King, in your father’s | last ? Did they vote against expunging ill** j'-tir
absence in ilie trilled field ? That I wooot then i* II ! nals ? Not they. N«i
you, who have tint a drop of any but Whig blood
in your vents, b—date as io the course you ought |
io pursue 7” To these questions, I could give hut I
one answer—Fear not for me. The same good |
name you have transniilted—xml the same rich in • ’
tieriiance, shall he left unstained, and transmitted :
unimpaired to your grand children.
Hut to proceed. The Haliimore Convention ;
met, ami in due form nominated a candidate for i
the Presidency ami Vice Presidency, again*! !
whom no man has heard me say on** word —
They have accepted die nominations, and I have |
doubt, in doing so, acted on those principles \
they thou.lit it right to maintai
As to ntNself, | M igistrate.
yon th it mv family were among the first to hoist
earnest solicitation nl some, whom I. childishly, | the Pole of Liberty in the South, and among the
then thought my friends, and who are now under 1 most firm mid tearless in defending n ! And will
the hypocritical pretence of continued friendship, j
my most deadly enemies.
In die great struggle to bring the present Cliiel !
Magistrate into office, it became necessary that
his friends should proclaim and enforce, by
all die arguments they could advance, their poli
tical principles: and what were they ?
1st. All useless expenditures of Ilie public mo
nies should be discontinued.
2d. All offices should be filled by men who wore
honest, capable, faithful lo the Cousti'-ution, and of
business habits.
5-1. That neither Congress, nor any department j
of the federal government had any power exceptthnt |
which was expressly granted by the Constitution,
or w*s necessary and proper to carry into effect
•om« power which was expressly granted.
4th. That the Kxeculive power should he so
limited and regulated by law, that neither t l *e Pre
sident nor any officer appointed by. or dependant
upon him. could use his influence or power to con
trol or guide public opinion in elections.
5th. rhat the Constitution should lie so amend
ed ns to secure to the people the right of choosing
the Chief Magistrate, themselves. That the name
person should nut he elected for a second term,
and that offices should not be filled w ith members
ef Congress.
6th That all surplus monies which might ac
cumulate in the Treasury, beyond the reasonable
wants of the Fed- ral Government, should be di
vided among the States by some fair ra in, to tlie
end that the people, to whom it rightfully belong
ed, might have the benefit of it for Internal Im
provement*, Education, Jcc.
7ih. That all caucuses or combinations of men,
whose object it was lo create oi control public
opinion in the election of President and Vice
President, should lie discountenanced and put
down.
These were the great and lending principles for
of them. Yet they
are opp tsed to his Admini-*lration, herau-e they
will not vole lor the person he has selected as his
successor. It is true as »o one of ilieui. Mr. Hunts
man, when tlie President was asked how he
was. he said lie did nut know, he was hanging
on the fence, and it was doubtful which side he
would fall.
In justice to that gentleman, I must he permit
ted to state, if there be any sincerity in man. lie is
as much on the Tennessee side of the fence, as
any of his colleagues. I have thought it ri _lit on
tins occasion to bring this point plainly nod dis
fncily to your view, th.it you might every one see
the reason why I and my triends are denounced as
Federalists, opposed to t ie Administration, and the
A •tipodes ol our .esteemed and venerable Chief
I solemnly declare lh.il with I e knowled e I have
of ilie manner in which that Convention was
brought about, the object it was intend* d to ac
complish, ami the co sequences expected to flow
fiom it, had I been nominated by it lor either of
fice, such nomination would have been almost the
only contingency upon which I would have pro
hibited the use of mv name.
The real offence which ! have committed is not
the abandonment of mv principles, hoi heeause I
I would not abandon them. Not Itec oise I have he*
| come the tool oft Im opposition: hut because I would
| not unite with an old and valued trend in doing
1 that, under evil and m**chieviuii* advisers, which.
| before Go I, I believed would rob ihe people, of that
j freedom tor which our fa lters “periled iheirliv
FROM Tint NA*HV1I.LK BVNSF.R.
MORE DEVELOPMENTS.
The following arlii le from itie Jonesboruugh and
Knovdle papers, contain f -rther interesting in-
rideuis rontiecteil wiilt the President' 1 s late tour
through East Tennessee. Il seems tual General
J icksott has gone so tarns to denounce Judge
White as a •• red I ot federalist." We do not
know how this singular charge can he better
answered than by quoting tb»* lollowmg » xtract of
a private letter liom Judge \\ hue himself. W«
owe bun an apology for the liberty we are tak
ing. 'Pbe letter is dated * Knoxv lie, August
22«i,* and the extract is as follows:
*• far a* I am capable of understanding mv own
puli ienl opinions, they coiilorin to the true Jefferson
ian er-ed
•* I am for limiting F.xecii'ive patronage, so that nn
ofliee' 1 holding liisotlirent the will of tli** Pre-id *n? cm
be displaced hec nise be will not conform to ihe Pre- 1
-ideir’s wi-lies in elections.
*• It ought to I)** made a high offence in office'll*'Id-
era lo use their official station with u view to i tine lice
the votes of electors.
* It is andoit^lii to bp considered a high po'ilioal of
fence in a Chief \1ai*i-trate to use hiiv of tin* powers'
conf'-rred upon him by Ins station, tor the purpose of
ndliiencitig piib.tc opinion in the choice of bis sue-
I'.essnr. or in the choice of members to either House
ol C ngress.
1 am for such a construction of the Constitution as
will prevent Congress am) the President from exer
cising any power not expres-lc grunted, or which is
not necessary and proper to carry into effect s une
on* of tho-e powers who h are expre*slv granted.
" I ain against imposing or continuing any I .x di
rect or indirect, for die purpose of bringing money
into the Treasury; but hen there is an neciiiniilution
be\oml tli** wants of the Federal Government, I am
lor distributing Midi surplus, rateab y. among ihe
Suites, and if the Constitution dues not uutlinrize
such di-tribnlion. I am for so amending il that such
power w ill he conferred.
•* Now. sir. let the friends of the administra ion
put d
thing material, they, and not 1, will he touud
Federal -i e.
'* On the principles I have ever avowed, I have lin-
ne-tly endeavored to act: an I if ill any instance ( have
deviated, it was unintentional and l«n n »l aware of
ii These priucipl* s are the same on which the Pie-
sideut came into power, mid *f vve am not now log*
liter, the change lias not been with me.”
We have no comment to offer on this brief and
simple cxpo-itiMii. If i» be federalism our op
ponents* are at liberty to make the most of it.
I am folly of tli" npupnii bat Congress lias i n pow
er by the Coiislituti< ii, lo interfere w iih the private pro
perty ol iudxidua s in tin- District *d Cobuuhi.i or
a a vt lief* ene ; mi i th**t any uileinpi lo ahi I all •*! v *•
rv io Hi* l).si ict of t'••inni uh. wooid n* in voilutioii
of the t oi slitu ion, and mi uiiaiHhorixed a—inupiion
o| power, winch, io it- exerci-e, tl»«»*H eu- the peace
and haroionv «d the country mid 11»«* perniaiieiicy of
Ilie (Job'll. C?o sen-lid do l fid the mub ol tin a*
.-eutmieiils that I willingly sacrifice upon the altar of
file countly’.s good, indivi iihI prediiec.ions, and lion-
esfly r -solve to -nppdt on mao or up'asiire. that in my
conviction, may give sireog h aude uii'enaio e •*» the
exi-icise of a j ovver, so diiectl) ul \v ar v\ itli die conn-
11 >'s vvellare.
Acting upon ibis conviction. I am opp sod to the
election of .Martin Van linen loth* Pie-idency, since
ciicom-lances warrant in* in the conclusion, ihoi Ins
feelings upon this que-iimi hih ppost d to ni ne, mid
that be diffei* w ith us, as regard-* tli* Coli'tllulioiiHl
powi-rs ol Cong-ess io abolish slavery iutneDstrcl
ol Columbia Iii suiticli as Mr Van 1 men was an
advocate lor tin- re-lriclinti ofM Ssouri, upon the-ob
ject ot slave population • th* an ol his having v* ted
lo th* ciinveiilim ol New York, lorn provision giving
to free ntgruet the polite al r-ght ol while non; the
ho t that .ilioU'l the enure siroi glli of Ilie aho|i|inuM*
is exercised lor hi prqiiioliou ; and tor ihe lorilo-rieii-
soil that he hi u-*i| ackiiow ledges, that Ji* is not pre
pared lo say Pial Coil res* t;«s not the cuu-litnti nal
pow er In at* li-li-laVer> III III* I) st| id ol iU\ uilibla—
llie-e circumstances art* i tlicaii- iis t o strongly ex-
pr*.*sive «•! his real feelings, to p*r . is me to aid his
election, Ht a tone when tin* country is so much agita
ted try the increasing efforts ol Ihe abolili mists. 1 have
themed it necessary to be thus rxplici. upon the l‘ie-
sid* utial election, iiihmiiiI' h as ymu present uo-iubers
may he c:ill*d on iii tin* chtuacter "I Kepr»seulat ves,
to vole fur or agaius* Mr Van 11 lien tor this high iq
pointoieut | -lioni I deem my profe-i
vain, il I shoultl I*? f mud supporting men tor die lugh
esi and mos: responsihl* offices in the country, w ho uy
word**r deed are found giving conut*iime or support
to a principle at varm* Ce wuh the gem ral weal. I
expect to act upon this principle and thereby show ‘my
tail ' by lily wotk-*/
Willi an exp-rs-jon of my ardent desire lor the h ip*
pi ness and welfare of mu country, > oil yyill accept
my g ml wishes for yiuir iudiv iHiiwI prosperity and \ side
ihe pro perity of those whose a«-utioieills y«.u rep;
. sent.
Ymirs respectliillv,
WALTER T. COLQUITT.
A. HI. Ragland
Committee
« hen. mnfi'K »|«m :Iih Fade al tiovermiien.'ii,"^
"• li-eis n'e - "«» thn subject ai nil. U„,|,. r , r ! ell <
nf iIih i »..., it * "Iii'itetliiir iMim.iiiirinl H |, e ,| ‘ V, ""W
Ininl ami Virginia ended, uit'i the Ut.trict, t|, e r
ll'iiili.li al i very there'll These two State. ciinN ' 10
either make, -liter, or aineud the Cou-iiiuiioii > *
(live III"! I Ifttit The (reiity of cemiuit n „|, co '® ** lu
t''Hijtreaa the riyht In got en I ami enn'rtil „ CPf .
Iti' t "f <-»"ntrv mi lar as it tvaa pre inuaiv ci.naVii'iJ*
l«t.(l o',
'•|>"ll |l,,
hive
Il Iq
V'r*rinia eter inteniletl tu eetiler each a rielit i, t
l.egi-lattire iif the Uiimn—u ri^lit " Itii h" W'im,'|',|"|
been suicidal ol dieioselves, nud d*strneii7ui i
their own people The intention of t| H > g r{|| ,^ |f lo
ai fly III cede lit t"e e 'it!'etletatii„i n ,e ; „ a„ ( |'|,,r,?*'
Inr their general asent, the Federal G'lVeniiiient 2
if they Cinilil have believed fur n nitmietil, thin,’,",
thm clmt«e iif the ('■•tMlitiilioii which ainhnr'iz.. v ,1
ceptinit of the land c-ilml. a claim wimhl have h.’''
act iip f r Ci.tigress tn h gislnte ii|i,>i, -hiverv tl,,,, i,'2“
intvlit still have I hnhling iia a-aahma if, .i” 1 ?'
phii. nr peramhiilutiiig tint country trim,
If I “ere .it Wiishingtilii, or at anv other ■
my private, iudiv i Inal eapnci'v l etnild tint t„ lnH ’
hy Hint hear the Hla'e of tienr'g ami **
p'eviifieil mol slandered; much le-s could I
Rcpr. sctltat ve in Fungross to .eceivea peinl,!
repl.*lc wi h Ihe groa-e*l cii iiinnv, not i.„|
I aii'itm ts hilt or myself. I I mil lohl that th.. ab.'.li
tiniest has the cimalitntioiiHl riglit tu pe'ilii.u i|„
; vertiuienl. mi’l that therefore Congress is huuiid l.i
reive hi< petite u my answer is to lie lotitu! ||, ev ™‘
i I. r which e seeks In inlroduce his lira,./
j T ,e pi uple have the right pea. eahly In arsenihl,
j petite ii tlie gmerntnent lor a redress of giie V ,i nc „
hut of idiot grievance? -their mm sunlf/ Acc'.ir.tmJ
to the nlioli i mists IlieuiseUes, slavery is a
rung, ami a grievance lo the Sonf/nra alnve
nr.
I >H lint
their own gro
ar* not held in Inmd'i
tanrw, as they any. a •
us i nipty ami -laves in Georgia
t’omieciirui are i
of Georgia—mill
• ii' ipa' institution of slavery is cocci rued, the v Hrewlmj.
ly lireigntoiis. Then these f tiuies might w itli a, much
proproi’ v. petition Cong e-alo almiish tlie horn leSm.
rdn they claim it as «» c |,
't they oomiiii-erate, si ■,,,,.
* r| r‘«"ret. flu toil 'ipn„ ,|, e
I he people of Massiichesel!, a „d
"*‘ ""d I e acute with the p H op| e
itlrarv.aofm as this internal„g,.
Will N IM Mo Ns
Willis Kill
and. )
x s, >
• ORE, )
Let me not be nii-oinderalMid — 1 am very far | lii ir lorluue hiiiI tlie r aacred bniior," mid bring re-
from intimiiting it ua my opinion, that the whole of J proncli ojmim our nieuiury when we are numbered
th *t yiUHemhbige, or a majority of them, were ei
flier iliilionest or dishoimi.ihie men. Many of
them are atrangers to me, and I hope were govern
ed hv wnrdiy motives, and I doubt not b- lieved
great good would re>uli from tlieir labors. I. on
the contrary, think nothing but < v.l c m result
from a nomination by a set of men collected
under the auspices of tlie Executive, with a
view to nominate an individual designated by
him.
Notwithstanding ibis nomination, my name has
been permitted to remain where it was before
placed, and the threatened vengeance lias been
pouring out upon my devoted head ever since.—
“Tray, Blanche, Sweetheart, little dogs ami all,*’
have been let lnn*e upon me. I have heeded tlirrn
imt. it has been tny aim to bear any and every
GrkknksbuR')', Sept. Iff, 1830
Gentlemen—Your letter *»l the 8tli install', has been
received, in uiisvv -r to t ie q msjti »u c
tnx opiuim: h, tlmt Congress has no power under tli*
Constitution of ill" U Slit -.s to ah ilisii shivery io the
Distri -t of Columbia—or to ioteifer* xviili that sub
ject in any in inner ichuti rrr ; in d I in prepared lo
. . , ..... i maintain this up imoi as a private citizen or at* a Re-
'I 1 ;;;; '"'I'.'J'.'.nh', 1 . 1 'WI ' l'«'«-m'»ive or the people Iif Georgia, whenever duty
a»11 .ul UII. fill >U "Ot. ■<• . a | la || r ,.q,,j |H |t
l have ilit Ip ip'r to be. gentlemen very rc«pecifiillv,
VV1I. C UAWdUiN.'
To A. M. Rogland, William Nimmous, and II illis
i Kilgore, Esq's.
I Rciilics totheJnsper lutcri ogafories
which we, in common with olheis. contended. Tim i tiling. I have uniformly cunf irmed mv public con
public voic* sanctioned them by the election of duct to my avoiced principles, and what 1 »#•*I cvcd
with ihe dead.
I have no controversy with the Chief Magis
trate : | aspire to nothing which be wants, Il there
is any controversy, it is between mv countrymen,
who -olicped the use of my mini", and him.—
They have solicited me Hi let my name be used as
bis successor, and I have cnn-en'cd. This is mv
whole offence. If there be any liii* g wrong in it,
who is 'tie cause of i: ? Ii is nut me.hat is to be
put down an.I disgraced in ibis controversy, if Ten
nessoe is either coaxed or coerced to surrender
her choice. It is th* people, who have placed me
in lb* pus lion l now occupy. Thu Saviour
the World, when upon earth, found among the
small number ol bis d ( s> iples, one J alas, who not
only sold, I-iit betrayed him lor bis thirty pieces
of silver. Il were va n lor one of mv humble at
tainmen's, who lias nothing to offer but bis beet
NEW NAN, S*»pi 6tli,ia36.
Sir—At a respectable nvetiilg of di* friends of (lie
Union party in tlo s place.on th.* (itli in»l., who enter
lain tli* opinion that Congress has uu autlmri'v under
the Consul.ni m tu abolish Slavery in the District ot
Columbia, or interfere therewith in any in inner—lit*
undersigned were appointed a Coin-imp * l«* ad r**s
l ie several candidates lor Congress now hel'uru ili»*
people, on llml subject.
We are iiistucted lo a-k you, whether in your opin
ion Congress lias the <'(institution d power to abolish
slavery m the District of Columbia ?
An early answer is respectfully requested.
Veiy re.spec fully, your ot-e-iiein -* rvant*,
A M. RAGLAND.
\VM. NIMMO.NS,
WILLIS KILGORE,
1836.
tlie Chief Magistrate in 1323. In his inaugural
address in 1323. and in his subsequent messages,
he has avowed and proclaimed several of them.
Thev arc the very doctrines on which / have
practiced from that cay to to ihis, so far as my
humble capacity enabled me; an I l nmv challenge
my persecutors to put tlieir fingers on the cast s
In which I have departed from them.
Ilovv, then, has it happened, tli it forthe last
eighteen months or two years, my humble name
h is, in a certain net of newspapers, and among a cer
tain clan of politicians, been constantly coupled
with some degrading charge?
Upon this subject, I can perhaps give you some
facts, not heretofore generally known, and this
1 shall do. not for tlie purpose of injuring any
on*, hut for the sake of making a just defence tor
myself.
The General Assembly of this Suite sat in
Nashville in the fall of 1833. At the commence
ment of its session, as is my habit, I was there.
While there, the news reached us that flic D* po
sites of the public monies bad been removed, by
order of the President, (ro n the Hank ol tli* Unit
ed Stales. I imm*d>ately foresaw that this would
produce a violent effort in Congress to put down
the administration. I ascertained that tb< r* w is
a wish among the members, before tlie session dos
ed, to piesent my humble name to the people ol
the United States, as a suitable person to succeed
the present Chief Magistrate. To every member
with whom I conversed, and to every other per
son who addressed me on th&*uhj*ct, | used all
the arguments in my power to prevent them from
doing so; and with some that I could take most
efforts to pro no •* the pub ie wel are. to h qi* that
the politics of my Stale. So l.ir as ihe adminis- J all win* profess'd to he his iri* -tin wool I coil inue
trntion has acted on the principles which brought to ac* up to'hat rh-iracter. Already ha*e I touud
more thn
the Chirf Magistrate into power. 1 have been, as
l think, a tmilorin and steaoy, though very hum-1 interest-* in me, have received
Id* supporter. Il, on any point, he h<ts changed! more than twice their thirty pi
Judas, who by parting wiib tlieir
expect io r* ceive
I doubt not
be. we all now see, and know, that my venerable ' false friends. I will receive the aid and soppnit of
old friend, tlie Chief Magistrate himself, in his j many honest men, who will desire nomine but th *t
own prop-r person, lias openly, aud in the view of the government may he preserved in its purity
his principles, il is unreasonable to expert me to there may b* more wlto will yet do so; but if it is
lb* will of Providence that tlie use id my name
shall b* of service to my fellow-men, it will be so
ordered that in place ol such hollow hearted and
change with Inin, unless I can he foruislicJ with ;
sufficient reasons lor such c'.ange.
Humble as tny pretensions arc represented to
the sovereign people themselves, turned out to control
and regul.de public opinion. This is a iioubb*
which 1 am very sorry be bad to take on my ac
count. His acts are to liv• after him. lie occu
pies the most dignified station upon earth. If any
man living did more towards eh vaung him to that
and if there lives the man, who can induce n ma
jority ol tb* people of Tennessee lo abandon their
own principles, and sacrifice an individual, whose
name they had placed before the public* lo gratify
bis wishes, then will I admit that I ncv»r under
stood the character of the people among whom I
station than I di*l. it was because he had more in- J have lived for almost fifty two yea
fl leuce. lie has the efficient control ol tb*yvliul>'
M v en* mies ha
fund of *h« nation—-the di-posal of our invaluable j gine that as I h
public domain—the ; ppomunci.t of all officirs a; |
ho-oc and abroa-l—the pow-r lo remove tens of
thousands of officers, who ha»e no means to pro- |
cur* subsistence for a dux, if lie chons*"* to remove
thcin;t iey must do as he directs, or be turned loose
to starve. AM this power I zealously strove to;
give him. and I did so under a thorough conviction
made a mistake. They ima-
deleiniioed not io advocate :ny
own pretensions (or the most d ginfi> d station op-
on earth, that they may cb 'rge me with what mis
conduct they please, nt my present station, as Se
nator, ami that I must remain silent, or lay myself
liable to the charge oi indecency in e eclioneering.
I can mi an I will n »l ad in any such lalse deli
cacy. |i I am iitiju-dlv accused—*if l am charged
News an, 7tli
Gentlemen •—Your letter of tmd»*y lias just com* to
I , band inf rmi .g in* that at a me* big of the I lie lid-* ol
th • Union p r'y in ibis olace, oil th* fidi in«la< t. who
en'erlalu the opinion that Congress h is no authority
under Hi* (?utn>tiiMtiou, lo abolish slavery in to* Dis
Piet of Columbia, or interler* pier* with in any man
ner, you wer* appointed a committee to addles tli*
several candid d*j» lor ‘ ongress. now lief-re the peo
ple. upon that subject; aud that you hi* iii-tnirted to
ask me w hether in my opinion, Uimgi'es.s Iih* lie eon
s'itutional power to abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia, and l•••q•l*s1ing an early hmsw er.
I assure you, gentlemen, I liav* iio dilficnlty in hii-
swerieg your enquiries immediately, hii i I am happy
to seethe people aroused niton Ihi* most imp riant of
iiff «he poliii*Hl question* '•! tlie dav / do not belitrr
t/iut Conger** bus the right undtr Ihe t onshlulion to
nbolis'i starery in the. District of Columbia, Mini I will
add, or any where rise, and l moreover believe Hint lie
who would elm n lint right under the constitution for
Congress mi the one hand or concede ii up -n the other,
is an enemy lo the South, and a I aitortu the Cuns'itn-
lion. I am also of opinion t oil -lavery, as ii now
exists in the United Suites, i- a great p lilje«i hem tii
to the people of all the various serf i .us ul our com
mou country, and especia ly t*» the pe p|* nt the
South, and that not ilie least of these hle-suigs is tlie
compar 'lively happy and conlenietl nouditioii of the
saves llif-msekes Slavery always ha* an i always
will exist in liict, if m*t in law. in every nation ••( peo
ple. and the in *t deplora le condition of slavery is in
that country where in*cev»iiy forces men »o be *Uves
where it is lorhi'ldeii hy law, and tin* nn»*t cruel ..f
ina-tera i« he win* has til* right to Ihe lahor of his s*r-
I.a Gravgk. I7'h Sept. 1836
Gentlemen :—Your letter uddre-s-d to the Ami-Van
Hnii*n can 'nl,ites fur Congress, met my eye this morn
ing for the first time. I refer you to hii answer given,
tu a letter of the same kind, to a committee of citizens
ofCowatacon ly *a-t week, (or my views, ^jv. n more
a' la ge than time will now perm t. L**«t you lioiilu
tun >ee mv reply to that commiite, 1 will, in answer to
vmirs. sav to you, g- ut emeu, mid to the world, that I
belie' * that Congress d es not possess i|i* Conslitli-
li mill power to ali-ili-h slavery in the District of Co-
Ittmba, or in any of t e Territories of the United Stales,
or to legislate an that sulqect Ht all.
!• I -ini *l» e'ed a Represeiitativ e to ilie next Con
gross, 1 w ill suffer my right urm to be -evered (rotn my
liodv In for* I will vole to receive neiiiiom lor tne .bo
li*ion of slavery. I apnlan I tbe pa'riolie motive,
which induces you to aak tlie opinions ol tin-camli
dat s lor C-mgres upon this vital subject; and I agree
with yon. gentlemen, that •• the ininies-.imi is f.is*”
that there is no difference of opinion between die And-
Van Hmeii and Van Huien candidates fur Cmigrt-«s
upon the v ital subject of abolition. To vote to i oceivc.
report, and consider upon these insuhing and dange
runs petitions, ( is most of tne present delegation in
Congre-s frmn Georgia did ) f-eems to my mind to be
one step towards plHcing oinse'ves in the power ol a
in -joritv *d' Congress to tm>i»late us out of our consti
Intimnt right*, as they have h*r*tofi re done iii me
case of • la- Tariff'laws | hold the right nt shivery a
const tiitmial rig'd. and planti* g mys. Il upon die cou
stitiitimi, I would richer neristi indeleuce of the right
V tin in |eav* it to he••rnti«idHred*’ hy (’ uig<essoi any o
{ tlier body ol nien oueaith rqqios*d Hi iiiuiiyo!'i|ie m*m
. hers of < 'uiigress are loth* South and all In r rights
I and interes s. I am not x\ i liug th-»t J Cl Ad
•neb a* olitionists ms lie i-, or any such Van Horen men
1 shall In* allowed I * * consider’ that question lit all in
j tlie Cmigres* ul tbe United Males 1 teiiu-tn er too
I w*ll b w he and his ulends made war ii|>ou (ieoigia.
; iii I8|f»; ririd now . that lie lias openly avowed himself
| Inch mi aim itiouLt and Van Horen mail. I • auiiot see
die justice ut policy of allowing nim or h>• \ sei of :rn n
lo u‘gi«late in C ogiess or any vvl.eie else, upon me
question ol slnveiy.
I am. genileui il, yours, with great considerate u
and re.-peci,
JULIUS C. ALFORD.
To .Messrs. Joshua Hill and others, ol Jasper county.
tee of the East Indians, or the slavery of Tiinbiatoo. m
slavery in the State of Georgia, lo vv ichtliey nretn-jj
strangers, ami which belongs excltu-ively to ns. l{«.
the Cnti*li»iilinn only prohibits Congress fn, m
p ii ssi ii g anv law abridging He right of the people
peaceably to i s'euhile, and pt *it on. Ac Is tin* Ur#
I refus'd, upon motion, in one house, to rceivra vi|.
I Inimius peti it ion. th* passage or enacliiient of nlati
abiidyn g the right of petition ? || these rosinop.li!
j tan ■ I i Hiitli'iipist* are such pretended stickles* ter run-
I s'i'ntioual rirliis, why let them take those nglrsastliey
| find them wrt en—let them have their pan id of
j flesh,” but no more. I would vote fur no law abmlg.
! ing. or interlcring with die riylit of p-litioii.alth-niA
| jt, ,, « j that light h is availed the Sout'iernptople Imt littletiere-
iofore—to us it lias tub ed been but an " empty tMiut"
| —Im', at the same time. 1 would not receive a petilioi
| gros-ly abusive of my com-li'iieuts and relative tm
I snpp'»a"d grievance, which the petitioner m-cliiiiiin]
. ns hit own. aud over which Congress has no eantiy
j jur'sdir lion.
| Anothor.Miul not the least objection to receivingilo.
i lido* petiti -iH, is this; if C-unire^s receive tlie|>eti-
j ti- if, it must />ats upon its contents, and dispose nfit h
some way or other, either by adopting or grauiiiii tin
prayer of the petition, or (ejecting it. Now. to du
J either, would he actually- to assume and exercise pre
diction over the subject matter of the petition, vvi.ieb,
in mv opinion would he not only “a viola'i-m ol puk
he f'ith,” a* .Mr. Pinckney would sav. but an nctal
and tl niraul violMtiou of the Constitution itself.
These, ceutleinen, nm-mg others, wliiuli ti e limiti
of this article wdl not pennit me to urge, nre tli
• ui* whv I have given a negative answer to yourn«.
P'Ttam enquiries; a ul at the same time that I liojir
diey max he sufficiently explicit ami nalisfiictury. per
i it ice to exp es- mv regret t mt such a stal* ol tilings
exist* at th* Smith, as r» tides il iiecessarv lor the con
stituenl to cntechi-e the candidate forofliee, upon tin
s-ibject d* slavery; eape« Sully when it is done, tun
nose, hv Ciiurrast, the delinquency of one of mo ...
ie servants. \\ itli tin* question of abolition, the po-
htic* of the dav should not be permitted to interfere—
the foe iiatmir door, and lit* danger ul hand. Ifwa-ia
w i**, let ns be united, and a* one mail, in our «ip|ae
siiioii m the nI inning encroach'iieiiis of the Fmane;
and he who filters, • lieu th* hour shall come, in IM
defence of o r homes, our altars, and our domestic ii-
stintimis, should be spumed Irons our cuu.icil?,mil
execrated as a mail.
I have the honor, very respectfully, tube, your obe
dient scrvuii',
EDWARD J. HLACK.
Greksksburo’. September 16, 1816.
Gentlemen—Your letter ila'ed Mnnlicello, 9th inrt..
ami piitdished m the Recorder and Journal, is
heore me In cmupTumce with your request, anil up*
pruh iting the motives p.ompliiit'y<»u to the inaury.l
ini*fly nn-vvi r—
'I'liaxt V en mil believe the Congress of Ilie Uni'cJ
Sla'** j o*sesse« the <?onsli iilmnal power lo nh"'i»t|
slavery in the Di-tr cl of Columbia, or »ii any al* t 1 "*
IVrritoms ot th<- U"it(-d Mates, or any where tltt,
d j or to legislate on tint subject at all; and should l (l «
e| cted a Representative m ihe m-x Cuugiess I willii"t
voie in receiv e petiti m- l«»r tne a.iolitiuu uf S/arery -
M\ reasons (or these ••pinioes will lie iiiven wlunatr
and wherevet the < iicuuisiaiices m iy requi<e then*. auJ
will li.? m-oiitaiueU in that manner winch tlie tn**
may demand.
1 iluvo the honor to be, gi-uilnuiFii. very iespertfnll?»
WM C D.WVSO.N.'
To Joshua Hill Angados W Lane. J Pearson. Thut.
JI. II. Ilictis, James LI Ltwis, ll. P. Kirkpnlruk,
Esquires.
ltiai he would only use it in accordance with the j with eiiteriaining prnic ji'.es, which do not belong
spirit of Ihe Constitution—that be would follow j to me, and these charges ar* nrule to my own
the wise example of Washington, of Jcff. rson. of I cniisiiiuems, by a character of the highest stand-
Madison and Monroe—that so far Iron] openly
interfering in the election of Iiim successor, nr en
couraging any Executive officer to do so, he would
•ternlv prohibit it in other- and think it
liberty with, when coming away, left it in charge, liticnl and moral duty in himself io be perfectly
that should a nomination be attempted in my ab- t ••neutral;'* and lest he should disclose h.s pr*te».
•ence, to have it prevented. 1 ence would “ avoid conversing on the subject with
At the close ol the session, one of those gen- I his most intimate friends, lo ibis I have been dis-
tlemen wrote me. that he was censured as uii appointed. I have liedi nppri-ed mat lor twelve
friendly, for not concurring in the pbiu of a nomi
nation. 1 immediately answered his letter, assur
ing him he had not only acted in coulurmiiy with
o»> wivhei, but in accordance with my requeue—•
• nd that so sure was I that such a nomination
would have we ikened the President in Congress,
that if it had been made, I would have held in) sell
bound to withhold my ajseui.
In the spring, 1331. I r* ceiven communications
from different quarters upon the same subject, pro
potnig, if it met my approbation, there should he
meetings to nominate me. To this course I gave
no encouragement. During that year, the |*r**i
dent visited Tennessee; our Convention was m
•cation, and idler their rise, I wst informed some
of the members had wished to nominate me. imt
had abandoned the attempt after they ascertained
it would incar his displeasure. On his journ*v
to Washington, he conversed freely with some of
my friends, and remnnsu tied against any attempt
•• nominal# oi# as FifskUhi; ssid ther# must he s
months past lie has neither been sparing nor buck
ward in his censures of me. It g-»v•» me tin unensi-
ness—I was willing to hear it all without com-
plMint. My only wish wh* that he might so coo
ing, it is due to jmi. it is due lo the country, tint! n
i«ju>t to mvsell that I not only repel the charges,
but d.bclose the motives of those who make
high po j them.
My political friends who have placed nty name
before ill* Public, are Jeff rsoniun Jackson R* pub
licans, professing and practising now, the same
creed they prof'ssed in 1828. Our Jiotto is,
•'not words but deeds'' We determine to prove
our “faith in our creed by our pniciicQN-'' Il lor
this we are to be denominated “newborn Whigs,”
we are content. Instead of being placed in the
company of aliens aud stranger*, w* will still he
vent and no iolere-t in the pr-qierty
opinion dial slavery is consonant with ill* Seri itur>
and tiiat our maker i onlunplal' d its cxis'cn e in In* J },j* snffr.ige
FR-'M THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE.
SCKIVKN C 'UNTY. Sept. 17, |8”,6.
Messr* Joshua Hill Aug II Lour. Jirnniuh P^anon,
I Thus II II Ricers Jas. II. Lew s ll P. Kirkpa
i trick of Ja*p*r county.
| Gentlemen:—Your note of the Dili instant, in the
Georgia J nr- nl, addressed lo iLe Slate Kigli'a ratidi-
* dates 'nr Congress, was handed to me fm the first
«d 1 time y estermiy. Keengniz tig to its fullest extent, “ tl <
ht of tb* con litoein to r*quire o( thn caiufidate (or
nninand t<» servants Jo obey their master, &c. Ac —
Troin these lif ts and opinions, geiitleineii. you may j
easily perceive that which i* my true opinion, tmu i
Congress has no right toi ler the constitution, or nnd- r 1
any oilier authority hmiia'i or divine, to aboli»li
r oj (
avm*<r of hi* optio n-, on any
Uvery
el-*'
political siihjeci,” I take greet plcasme ill re-poudmg
to the inipoitiiiii questions you have piopuuuded.
Y«»n a*k i( I believe the Congress nl he United
Stale** lias die (*oiistiiuti<'tial power I" abolish slavery
the I) Bluet of Columbia. • r in any of the territones
Savannah, September 18, 18^6-
Gentlemen :—1 fi ul in th* Georgia Journal «nartl-
cle b io in“ ymir sigiia.ore, adilressed lo uiyi»elfMioouf
"th*r-, r» q uring mu to answer the fol nvviuj qa*s'i" , t :
** Do you believe that the Congress of lae UmteJ
St'-tcs pn nesses the Clmstiluliunaf power to ab"lii*
shivery in the Deduct "f bilomhia. or sny "I 118
Terr tnriesnf the U iit*d Stales, or to legidale ditto 1
suiijei i a nil 7 and will you, if elect* d a repre eii'-'b'®
of the next Co -gie-s. vole to r* ceixe petitions fur ll#
uholitiMii of slavery T”
Recognizing, geiilleincn. to Ihe fullest extent. y nur
right p*opmimi tins iiiterrogatury, and hefievi 'K '*
to lie my duty to auswei you onresorvedlv, and' M ,ef '
the Di-trict of Columhia or any where j of ill* United or to l* t i*la
tain tig not one p-dilicalsetilinteut wilic 1 ' I wpal'lc'"*
ceal Ir -m mv f'e luw-citizens of Geoigia, 1 piore*J'
say. | roiMpi y. that in any judgment Cmig-ess lira ,,rtt
III* Ci'iisiiiiilinii.ii power to ahotish slavery i" lllf
tint subject hi Didih l ; thm Cuugiess cannot, constituduiinlb*^-
all; and whether if I am elected a Repieseuiative to pnve all. ir any, "f ihem zois ol that Disuict"' P f>
I Connected with th»« subject is t lie. measure of the the next Cmigresa 1 wHlvote to nceive pi-titinna fur peny insiaye»; that the right ol pi operty in alnve#®
duet :i« lo take nothing from tbe high cbaracier in tlie embrace* and arms ol our long cherished
which in common with others. 1 had for years en j principles. “ Names are nothing,” a .nl nut vene-
deavnred to give him. Not content with this, he rahle Chief Magtnfi.de, in iris ietier to Mr. Mon-
comes to our own State among my own couetitu- roe. Dress a Tory in the garments ol a Whig,
etits, those in wlinne employ I am, taking a circuit- I and be will be a Tory si ill. As well might we
nu* route through East Tennessee, so as to be in j expect lo coocesl the wo f by polling on the co-
many Villages, and is still on Ins tour through
West Tennessee into North Alabama, openly de
nnmiridg me as a “ red hot Federalist," having
abandoned his administration aud In ing as far from
hiui as the /mbs are asunder. Siv. Now with great
deter.-nee |«. the opinion (d lb.it highly esteem'd
and venerable mail, I most be allowed lo say lie is
emiraly mistaken. 1 am mil now and nev. r was a
Federalist, in any sense of dial term recognized by
or known to the Ammirvi pm- »•, I sm an* and
ev#r bare ineso, • Kc public so of Mi. J c •. rs#n'#
vcnrig of die lamb. a« lo suppose that **conceal
lb# conspirator who seeks to deprive the people ol
tlieir tight ol snllra'.e, by throwing i.vinpJum the
name ol a “ good old Jcfrersomau democratic re
publican."
AH political power is vested originally, in the
great body ol the people. It all resides there yet
except such portions of it as they have vested in
llieir different Agents, to he used for dieir
benefit. They have reserved lo themselves ill#
ngni freely to iliuose tbs two highest officers
la-l session of Uoiigress in which Mr I' fickney, and
other Southern in-'inher*. voted to consider and report
upon petitions pray ne Congie-s to hUoJi-Ii slavery m j has the right to aholi-li shivery
tli* District of Coliimbia I consider 'III-a miot fatal
step the cmisiiilliiiHiton of the fluid desig'.s of the abo
litionists. Tli* history of the federal government Im- | tinn.fnr from u other sonic*
t'ie iilmli ion of slave') ? To both of the** quesliuus trial ’District i* a vested nghl. Its sacred as i 1 * s),l|lfl
I unhesitatingly an-vver in »h* negative. If Congie»s right in the sluv* holders of tne Huge-; ami l-iut it
the snleiuii duty of the people «.f the 8oiiili, t" ,|,e I'f
ni-id*ia. or elsewhere, nr to egtalate upon th.r subject at lor mmii * of w inch they ar« pressed by every eon I-®
all. th.it right must be derived :d die Irout tb* Uimtunn. ration that can xv. igh vvim a lie* People re*olve«l W
any 'ie.mrtment ul the muiiitain then* own. and P e right-uf posterity. I" P 1 *
proven already, that when once a men-ure can he i (general Govemuieiit derive miy riphl or power what- »eotoii this pom . forthwith, y^deterunoed, uiiyi* 1 * 1 "I
hrnoght before Congress to be cons di-red ami debut-
ed, the constitution can be cons rued to favoy any doc
trine w liicli an interestedorainbitimiscoinbiiiHtmu wish
to carry. Tins pro|aisitioii is abundMii’ly proven by the
pa-sage of the various lari (facts in llolatiiHi of the letter
and spirit of the coii«liiiiiimi; and il alter Mr. Van Horen
should b« elect* I President ( I he should) his only
Iriimd* were In r illy round aud de-ire other Missouri
re trietioiis, other law* to giant flee negroes to vote in
elections, will he mil in pursuance of the same men-
•'ires favor the abolition of slavery 7 Will ll"t Ilie
same spiiil that prompted him lo support Ihe right ol
Ire* negioes. prompt hull still to encourage Midi mea
sure* as w ill neciiie their freedom 7 Toe noiirlurioii is
"■ioral and prusislihl*—am) I greatly tear that the
South has e mred' d too much ahead), and I am de-
i ib* rate ly of opinion tliai w* * oiild Rise nu time i»i
redeeming ourselves from ibis condition by euforciug
in Cotigresi and every where • la*« our coiislilutiojinl
light* to hold our iiioperty inviolate.
Very respectfully, youruh'l. servant,
JULIUS C. ALFORD
A. M Rant and, l
Wu NiMNoai, \
W Kuunas b
under ita present org uiiz'tion. I he only cl-uisu
in that imtimneiit upon xvlne.li the abnlitiiuii-ls, and
tho«e who act with ihem, ground tlieir cl.iiu ot'power,
in legislate upon tliesiihjeei ol ahiv• ry. is dial which an-
thoriz •* Uongruss “ to exercise i-xeclusii* I* gisalion in
all cases whatsoever, over s *di D strict uni i-xci eding
leu miles srptaru. ’ as may he ceded lo the U i ed Slates
and united opposition. I bo ieve, g- ntleiiiea.
that
(amgi ess c in not, c- li-titiitiomit|y. alioli-li >1 *' el ). ,n
any of Uir Territories of tins UuHiii«*nor call they.' 1 ®
po-e as a ruiidiiiou ol admission of any 'IVrrit'^y 11
tlie Union, tbe pr*-mous aholitiou of slayer)’ , * ,e ,!f f
— nor can they, either in ill* Di tact, or ill •* , y y
r inrx. so l*gisiHle mm lo iiu,.air, or iii tb'* I#* 4 * N | , j
Commits*
•*•■• , —Mima r mi i . a.» m in ioi,>uo, Of IO Mi* .
Irir lJi« purpose uf e-tablidi og a pern aiieut “ seat ..f th* right of properlv. Uoogr**» may, '»l”" 1 ^
Govermneiit.’ lo mv mind, tin- clause, instead of gi-l-tiir*-lor the Ills riel ol C"IuiiiIiia. ps*s sll
conferring, directly prolubiis ilie exercise ol *-iich ,t sarv police laws, and laws lor Ihe guild order
power; for although Congn>s may exerc.se *• ex lu veniment ul s hvcs, as does the Slam of G»u'«' • * .
tut legidalutn: Hies* woidscao uev*r be tor ored to each of th* oile r thiUllierii Males—but R»# "l , ‘ l
mean un uotimi'nt aul undefined l*gi»lati »n. 8m Ii a lonperi) is a su j**t t**ev cannot tomb without' 1 ^
coesiriiciimi would be lo Miuverl ilie restrii Uv* opera-! la i.ni oi that provision of il e C«iislitulMM» which *
lion ol the Coiisliuitiou, and roiif-miid the muNfiiog of dares mat - private property ■bull out hi 'c* 4 *"
Mord—it woo'd tie lo iiittk*" exclusive* 1 and • uulimU- puulio n»» w'iihom just compeioMitioii- ' Ain* * ,M> " .
ed” or "undefined' convertible t* ims. for which other , eumiK'ifialiou “ i* out pub ic use” within the ius** 11 ''J
autlionty Hum th* I'rNseut s aiidurd les.coos of our luu- of the Constiluiioli. To mnunrl|fMls«irBlMilM ,,|U
guago iiui-t Le produced. ht no “public «■•)”—it would he a pui'hu cu, . h .
Nor do*, the Mfemmglv coinprelienriv* nlirase •• m throw in# opou the District and ill# TsrrMarMM.*®*'
all i uses what tut etr.” which imiu*di#t» y follows ut wll I'tdosuf |Niupwrs aud lehms, ioipovrn«hhig sim* ‘ Jrl '
mihmgu Him operation t uu depart mem ol fiuuehii lalis.lig inalead of, s* liow, eortcbi'g #nd i)MR ,0% *
(loveniMinit pc.osses. or mu put««»*, any inherent, them. If elected. g*iilluiu#u, I .hall he (outoJ U*# »j
or iinderivvd pewer All its p<*w«is sia dslsgated to compromising opponent of abotiliuii p#tdt oUi ‘
it hy tbs Hlalw, and th# t'rui.iuuion n the amtsii iu- slinuld vote for tlwir rejection withevt bssitsd n *