Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-17
Washinyton. Eih. latA 1sao

! succeed. M
Washington, EJ. 1871. 1890.
| DEAR SIR: The last mail from you
city, has brought us ouch ipiellieenr,
concerning the opinions aud feelings M
your legislature, in relation 10 the pro.
posed compromise of III Missouri ,Iues
ilon,. which is equally source of graft.
hcafion TO MIR. Kings par,y, aud Of a..
| most unieigned regret I'd the frieads o.
the Union, as well as the sinceres, admi
rrrs. aud most devoted friends of Viryi
MIA herself.
Whlle cannot bnt respect The liyl,.
| miHded and honorable motives of Won,
friends, | beg leave TO saw thai | am an.
prehensive, That The nainre OF The despe.
rate struggle Tor power Which is now ma.
King here, Is either nofproperiy under
STOOD, or duly appreciated al Richmond.
u was not even understood here. ill
wiiiiin day or two ago when Mr.. KIM
throwing off all disguise, made a speech
IN me Senate, that mni damn him 10
everlasting fame. Noiling could more
ehecinaily promote his, own ambitions
views, or those of his iiends, than the
cooperation whicIyou ar. affording them
Tor hey are opposed TO spy compromise.
lesf by satisfying or appeasiny the public
mind which has been so much exciied bv
unparalleled articles, thy nigh, be de-
prlved OF all the ADVANTAGES which tbey
promise themselves fromihe agitation of
me question for one yearloncer. Their
object is TO consolidate intbeir favor the
whole weight of cur nov slave hol,iinq
population, which is numerically much The
strongest portion. The representation
from Virginia may enable tIrm 10 succeed
and TO PROSTATE those matnapimous re-.
representatives. from the non slave n Gliding
states who have pairiotic;llv lIazardei
'heir own standing in unitius with Virpi
ma nersei', TO resist the present popu-
lar delnsion, and 10 preserve The iniepri,y
Of tile Union, againt all those abominah,e
Vaccinations To destroy il.
What has Virginia TO promiie herself
from such course? What ,as she 10
lose by 'he proposed compromise No
lhlns that she could retain without il.
owing 10 The vast extent OF pr.iries, the
SOIL, climate, and nature of lIe cul,iva
non That must prevail-ihere is indeed.
Dnt small portion of the country from
which slavery Is proposed 10 be excluded
IN which slavery woul;l exist, were no ex-
ci'Islon 10 take place in the manner prn-
posed: But is not something due 70 the
preJudIces of every portion of our coun
Try Our fathers thought so, or our pre-
sent happy Union would never have ex
isted-shali we totally disregard that spi
rli OF Cancellation and compromise of
Which they have left us such an IIusirious
example! MIR. King sta ed in his sperch.
and l suppose truly, that Mr.. jefferson,
himself, reported The article in the ordi
nance of 1887, which relates 10 slavery
your most patriotic and distinguished
statesmen, no doubt in spirit of conci
citation, voted for it. Your state has
Depend upon it, the prestiEesent time.
powerfully appeals to the moderation q
your present legislaiure-let not prid,
stimulate you TO aid your enemies, ano
PROSTATE your friends. Considering the
vast portion of the country obtained
by the treaty with France, which Ina:
heen. and is proposed, by the compro
mise, 10 be opened 10 The introduction o.
slavery, and IFS relative value 10 that Dor
ton from which il is proposed TO exciud,
slavery | refer il 10 your caDdOr. 10 sa,
whether the slave holding states hav.
enough 10 complain Of. i'm the partition
to Justify resort to measures which may
put TO hazard The tranquility aud peac,
of this great nation. My foresight, may bt
very limited hut my anticiPaiions are
fearful. love Virginia, and On that &C
count, as well as attachment 10 the Union
| do most sincerely deplore that unyieId
ing disposition, which seems, under cir
cumstances like the present, to infiuenc,
your legislature. What is the nature o
the compromise that excites so mucl
sensibiliiy among you? Nothing NOR,
than mere simple act of legislation, re
peaIable al any future time.t | will ado
no more but my hope, that the same
kind providence that has hitherto watch
ed over The desiinies Of this nation. vii
still preserve us.