Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-04-14

Is cOnsolmg In the friends OF the Con
stttu'ion 10 see such sentiments avowcd
with So fine spirit and in such hand
Some terms, by a gentleman Of Mr.. Ma
sons standing III Massachusetts. On the
maintenance and prevalence OF such prin.
clpies 'icpend ihr prrpctuity OF tbs Union.
Mons but men of his stamp can effrc,m
ally arrest the progress OF thai political
'Snis .Jatuas now per,adinS The Eastern
section OF the Union, and which !ias late
iy made such Il display OF lis effects III
Congress. Constant Reader.
EIFRoM \ bottom pAprnl
" ashiHgtOn, Wdrch Is 1920.
My DEAR SIR:-Ii Il impossible tor yuu 10
estimate the anXietydnd distress have eXpe~
ricDced, from the commencement of the de-
bate upon the Missouri restriction To the pre-
sent moment. This question had been ar:ued
in Congress the previous session /; and alter
giving 10 the subject all my attention, |
could not resist the impression, that il W as not
within the powers conferred by tue constiiu-
tinn, and that Congress did not possess the
authority 10 impose the restriction. / " ell
kuew then, as l have since aud as now do,
that this opinion vas not in coincidence with
the feelings, habits, aud sentiments OF that
distiici OF country which l represented, and
esteem l valued. la difference 10 those sen-
with those at my tellOw-ciiizenS generally,
whose timents 1 made il my duty 10 read every
ject, aud 10 attend to every speech which has
been delivered thereon bTt il has been my
misfortune that those efforts made with de-
sire to meet the wishes OF my friends and con.
Stltuents, have resulted in confirming my
first impressions, and brought rue To the con
cIusion, that the power 10 impose this re-
siriciion was not 10 he iound either in the
letter or spirit OF the national compact; and
that II pursued the dictates OF my cousci-
ence, or The obligations Of my oath to sup
port that compact, could not give my vote
in its favor. You well know nv dear sir, that
L have no ambition 10 pursue no Office To oh.
tain, or favors TO ask OF ANY person | came
here 10 support the constitution and peace of
my country, and its prosperity; TO manifest
an uprighiness and integrity OF conduct. and
10 AID, not contravene the interests of those
VINO had honored me with their suifrages
however unsuccessful may have been III this
particular, those consultations are remaining ts
me, which arise from the purity of my mo
tiveS and caunotsbut be persuaded, that
Tor this action Of my life, do not deserve eth.
or their cen>uie, nor that of Him Who gave
me lie. fon are uostranger 10 my ideas of
slavery in any shape | think il is at war with
every principle Of our fee governments, and
the traffic Ia slaves as the most detestable in
I'D It's nature aud one of The seYcTRst judgments
that the Deity has permitted in his gracious
providence TO be inflicted on our land. But
ihiS did not consider u question of slavery.
Ihat evil already exists in our country. Ii
was not either for the making Il slave or the
TIE right OF a citizen to travel with his slave
from one portion of the country 10 another,
thereby lessening the evils of their condition
and giving them more comfort and health.
Inc Importation of slaves has been discoun.
tendnred Ivy every citizen of the United States,
ard The slave holding states have been tile
most active 10 suppress IL, and have always
discovered sincere desire to co~npe rate ~
It's perfect prohibition. l cannot but hone,
that this odious featHre. this stain upon our
country, VIII he removed: and with The laws
nov here III force, aud the aid of all the pow.
ers IN EHrope, who have agreed in iIs aboli-
ton II will finally be effected. To YOU NAV
SAP also, that have great dOnbts a bout the ex-
pedency OF this measure. Evils OF the greatest
possible magnitude TO our country appeared
10 attend 1T and there never was To much har
ifed ana aiiim0sily, 80 much public excite
hest, threatening tue most fatal consequences
in any deliberate boOy that ever preceded the
one in which this question was discussed.
One halt the union in complete array against
Tue other, by q geographical line, aud The dis.
solution or the union threatened IN every
shape aud form. Besides, the object in the
minds Of the sober and rejecting man, was mol
attainabe.
The Senate had majority decidedly hostile
to the measure, aud there was no probability
OF change for fOur years TO come Maine
and Missouri during this time were TO be kept
ont OF the Union. the struggle aud excitement
was TO he maintained aud cherished, without
Tile possibility OF an harmonious result, or any
person DeinE dDle To say where or when 1T
would end. The law, il imposed, was TO be
enforced at greai'distsncP and in country
surrounded by neighboring States unaniihous-
Nv hostile 10 its execution, which wOuld render
" wholly impossible 10 execute it, either
VIII. or without force AlissOuii herself was
hostile TO the terms, aud had she been disposed
otherwise, ii had become so much sectional
question, that her neighbOring States would
nave controlled her will, and resistance re-
sorted TO, would have served only 10 make
manifest the ineflIcacy of the law, and bring
the government into disgrace. Permit me To
say, also the measure had some hardship
with IL (: There was no existing difference he
tween this territory aud that of Louisiana
whichwe had already admitted. For seven
teen years past we had governed Missouri as
territory, during all which time we ha per-
mitied slaves TO be purchased, sold and
brought into the territory, and never, until
The moment of her admission, did we suggest
TO heT the idea OF such restriction. Her case
was not an ordinary one she had The treaty,
Compact already made with her, TO enforce
her claim, aud warrant her admission upon an
equal footing with the Others.
Under these circumstances, all other con-
alterations ont Of the question, II did appear
TO me unjust 10 be thus rirOtous. and 10 per-
sist W our refusal unless she would subscribe
TO a new contract.
Thus, my friend have given you hastily,
some of The reasons for my vote az IT vas aud
] must repeat IL, IL have erred, Ihave erred
~ Judgment. ! have cudeavOred 20 discharge
my conscience, aud adhere 10 my neral obi
cations and when found THAT slavery could
be prohibited iu all the adjoining territories
with perfect Justice I thought ! was, by 30
dong. promoting The substantial happiness OF
my country the dnraiion 81 its uuiOn aud the
welfare OF Tire pe0ple pOrelnpd bV ia. 4 have