Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-15

A~eAh6 VI ypas ~ iT IEOIl u. lie .dloSlO-
sures made by you in that conversation form
ed but a small part of the matter upon which
that part ofthe message was, after mature de-
liberation, framed. assure you that l would
not, on any account, that you should partici-
pate, in the least degree, the responsibility Of
the adoption and PRONUNCIATION of that senti-
ment-nor shall any body else. l claim both
the idea aud the language embodied there, as
my exclusive property; and, in the enjoyment
of it, | do not see that there is much Gkeli-
hood of my suffering interruption. Never
theless, 1t IS a sentiment approved by every
reconsideration of it, and one which will be
sedulously impressed upon my children.
That the resolution of Mr.. King, and the
sentiments you heard expressed connected
with IT, and those which you understood were
expressed in the case of the Ramirez, and the
conversations out ofdoors, to which the argu-
ment of that case gave rise, were calculated
to excite a restlessness among our colored po-
pulation, which might be productive of the
most awful consequences, and your consider
ing the doctrines advanced by the Attorney
General and others, as you understood them
alarming, were all the facts of any importance,
according to my estimate of them 1t is well
known that they were.the views ofthe Gene
raj Government only, from which we had any
thing to fear; and whether you expressed any
particular knowledge of those views or not,
We were at liberty to infer them from the facts
disclosed. Neither in debating that part of
the message, therefore, or in d~evising a re-
medy for the evil complained of, were you or
any body consulted, or more than adue weight
piyen To YOUR disclosures.
Reference was unhesitatingly made to that
conversation, because you were a Senator OF
this State in the Congress ofthe United States,
and it became your duty to make known to
this Government whatevertranspired at Wash
ington prejudicid to its interests. Having
sought an early opportunity, informally, to do
so, Thought you entitled to credit; and, ac-
cordingly, at the call ofthe Legislature, sub
mitted to it the paper to which you have al
luded.
Cordially reciprocating the friendly SEN
iments you express, | remain very truly, yours,
G. NJ. TROuP.
The Hon. j. ~. Berrlen.
p. S. You are at liberty to use this letter as
you please. G.. Nj. L.
These letters which were written, as
will be seen by their dates, long before
those Of the Attorney General and the
Judges Of the Supreme Court were
shown Immediately after the receipt OF
the last, to some of the mutual friends
of the Governor and myself, by whom
the explanation was considered salts
factory. acquiesced in this opinion,
and, ultimately, in the further sugges-
ton that it was unnecessary then TO
publish this correspondence, from the
reflection that the possession OF II fur
nished the means Of correcting at any
time, the errors in the statement of
which | had complained, and would
also enable me to afford any explanation
TO those concerned who should think
proper to ask it from me. Such eX-
plantations | would have given with
cheerrulness, If they had been sought;
but | have not felt myself called upon
perhaps not authorized to intrude them.
No, having then imputed to the Ge-
neral Government any agency in pro-
ucing this disoussion;having expressly
stated that | was not present during
the argument Of the Attorney General,
and that the decision Of the Court had
not confirmed the principles contended
for, the statement made by me to the
Governor consists in the expression Of
an opinion, that the resolution Of Mr..
King, the doctrines which heard, and
those which | understood were ex-
pressed in the case OF the Ramirez, with
the conversation out of doors to which
that resolution and this discussion gave
rise, calculated to manifest a DISPOSE
ton improperly to interfere in our do.
nestle concerns, and to excite a rest
lessness among our coloured popula-
ton, which might be productive Of the
most awful consequences. Such was
my cpinioDthen-such is my opinion
now. have not desired to intrude it
upon the public; but since it is before
them without any agency OF mine, do
not hesitate TO ayow il, and will, when
ever the occasion may require It, en-
deavor to defend it. Those who be-
lieve that a project, in the execution of
which it will become necessary, fron
time to time, to cullfrom the great mass
Of the slave population, small portions,
who, at such times, are 10 be admitted
10 freedom, leaving the residue in sla-
very until The renewed resources OF the
Government shall enable them again TO
apply the lot, or other means OF selec-
lion-who believe that the unredemed
mass, who will thus have been tanta-
lized with the hope Of a freedom, the
more alluring because existing only in
fancy, will quietly submit 10 the per-
formance of their servile duties, during
this protracred process, such persons
will differ from me in opinion.
Those who believe that the discus
sion Of the lawfulness ofthe slave trade,
accompanied with animated descrip-
tons of its horrors, with a view to
prove its legal invalidity, not merely
under the laws of the United States
z,-,I, a~o,tnl h,t alrN yrfth